Maryam Nawaz Seeks French Support to Strengthen Pakistan’s GSP+ Trade Status
GSP+ Status and French investment opportunities discussed as Maryam Nawaz meets Ambassador Jean-Noël Poirier in Lahore.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has met newly appointed French Ambassador to Pakistan Jean-Noël Poirier to discuss trade, investment and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and France, with a focus on protecting Pakistan’s GSP+ status.
Both sides agreed to explore new opportunities for expanding trade, investment and industrial partnerships between Punjab and France.
Maryam Nawaz welcomed the ambassador, congratulated him on assuming his diplomatic responsibilities and thanked him for visiting Lahore. The French envoy invited her to visit France to promote bilateral trade relations. She welcomed the invitation.
French Investors Invited Under PIVOT Initiative
The chief minister invited French companies to explore investment opportunities in Punjab’s agriculture, industry and livestock sectors under the Punjab Innovation for Value, Opportunity and Transformation (PIVOT) initiative.
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She said direct engagement between Punjab and France could create new opportunities for industrial cooperation and development partnerships.
The meeting also explored potential French participation in dairy, food processing and cold-chain projects. Maryam Nawaz said French companies could help increase value addition in Punjab’s agricultural sector.
GSP+ Access Key to Pakistan’s Exports
The two sides discussed the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and opportunities to increase Pakistani exports to European markets.
Maryam Nawaz described GSP+ as vital to Pakistan’s exports and Punjab’s industrial economy. She noted that the European Union was Pakistan’s largest trading partner.
She stressed that preferential access to European markets was particularly important for Punjab’s textile, garments, sports goods and leather industries.
The chief minister also emphasised the need to align with the requirements of the new GSP+ framework. She called for continued diplomatic engagement with France to safeguard Pakistan’s preferential trade access.
Maryam Nawaz recalled France’s previous support for Pakistan’s GSP+ status at the ministerial level. She said French cooperation remained important for protecting Pakistan’s trade interests within the European Union.
She also cited Pakistan’s exports to the EU at approximately $8.96 billion during the 2025–26 fiscal year. She expressed interest in further expanding trade and industrial cooperation with France.
French Companies Offered Infrastructure and Energy Opportunities
The chief minister thanked France for providing a €180 million loan for National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) transmission lines and grid stations in Punjab.
She also invited French investors to participate in the Urban Wastewater Governance Project planned for major cities across the province.
Maryam Nawaz proposed cooperation with French utility companies under the public-private partnership model. Such partnerships could improve urban water supply, wastewater treatment and solid waste management.
She also identified opportunities for French energy companies in solar power, grid development and energy-efficiency projects in industrial estates.
Skills Development and Long-Term Cooperation
The chief minister said French institutions could help train Punjab’s workforce for industrial clusters under the PIVOT initiative.
She said cooperation with French dairy, food-processing and cold-chain companies could strengthen agricultural value chains. Greater participation by French businesses could also support industrial development and improve public services.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening longstanding friendly relations and placing bilateral cooperation on a stronger institutional footing.
Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan and France shared decades of friendship. She added that stronger economic engagement could give their relationship a new direction.
Chief Minister Welcomes France’s Position on Palestine
During the meeting, Maryam Nawaz praised France’s 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. She highlighted its enduring principles of freedom, equality and human dignity.
She also welcomed France’s recognition of Palestine and its stated position on justice and equal rights.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to explore practical avenues for trade, investment and cooperation across several sectors.
