FPCCI APPRECIATES EFFORTS OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE FOR EXTENSION IN GSP PLUS STATUS
Mina Anjum Nisar President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry
highly appreciated and acknowledged the efforts of Mr. Abdul Razzak Dawood, Advisor to the Prime
Minister of Pakistan on Commerce and Textile for playing an instrumental role in the extension of
GSP Plus Status for Pakistan. Extension in the GSP Plus will further boost the exports of Pakistan.
President FPCCI also proposed for a comprehensive strategy for proper utilization of GSP Plus by
ensuring uplift of export-oriented sector through removal of all impediments.
He informed that Pakistan's export to EU is mainly dominated by textiles and clothing which accounts
for 82 percent of total exports and facing strict competition, hence all issues such as refunds claim,
energy at the lowest rate and priorities to the export-oriented sector should be ensured.
He further stated that our exports and imports gap has widened that could only be reduced through
promotion of exports which require government support to produce exportable surplus at the
competitive price to attract the global markets particularly European Union.
Pakistan is the major beneficiary of GSP Plus from EU which is the second largest trading partner of
Pakistan after USA and has positive trade balance with the bloc; however, we need to produce more
exportable goods to capture the EU market and their demand as presently Pakistan’s export goes to
six members of the EU in significant volume while in other members the exports from Pakistan are
insignificant.
He informed that the GSP Plus allows 20 percent of Pakistani exports to enter EU market at zero
tariffs and 70 percent at preferential rates and it is expected that Pakistan's exports to the EU would
increase after extension in GSP Plus. EU GSP Plus granted in 2013 and since then our export has
increased to US $ 7.9 billion from US $ 6.2 billion but this increase is only in textile and clothing
while the exports of others products like carpet, pharmaceutical, iron & steel, edible fruit, oil seed,
copper, plastic, sugar etc. have low penetration.
President FPCCI emphasized that the need to diversify and value addition in Pakistan's exports
including carpets, leather, furniture, plastics, sports goods and agriculture products to exploit the full
potential of GSP Plus.
Mian Anjum Nisar President FPCCI also suggested for lobbying for Investment inflow in Pakistan
from EU as Pakistan has improved its ease of doing business and has brought several reforms in
business.
Amjad Qureshi
Acting Secretary General