EU Sets Conditions for Pakistan’s GSP+ Renewal
Pakistan’s textile industry has begun discussions with the European Union over the renewal of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus … Read More The post EU Sets Conditions for Pakistan’s GSP+ Renewal appeared first on ProPakistani .
The European Union is setting conditions for Pakistan's Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade facility to be renewed beyond 2027, emphasizing progress on human rights, labor standards, and environmental reforms. EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis led a delegation of senior representatives from the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) in discussions with industry stakeholders.
Karoblis urged businesses, especially exporters, to collaborate with the government to address concerns raised by the European Commission concerning human and labor rights, governance, and environmental standards. The EU considers Pakistan's textile industry as its largest trading partner, with GSP+ enabling 78 percent of Pakistan's goods exports to enter the European market duty-free.
This facility has contributed to employment, investment, and technological upgrades while aiding Pakistan's goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad warned that losing GSP+ could cause a significant impact on Pakistan's exports, leading to potential losses of over Rs. 1 trillion annually and jeopardizing textile mills and jobs.
The industry has already invested billions of dollars in European machinery for expansion, and Arshad called for support from the EU to expedite negotiations for a Pakistan-EU free trade agreement. The discussions follow Pakistan's completion of its fifth EU GSP+ review, with a formal reapplication set for December 31, 2028. Existing beneficiaries will continue receiving GSP+ preferences during a two-year transition period.
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