A very little time is left for Pakistan to maintain its generalised system of preferences Plus (GSP Plus) there is no doubt as it is an initiative of the developed countries by which they seek to support developing economies in achieving sustainable growth through trade and it aims to help developing countries implement the sustainable development agenda to promote values of human rights, core labour standards, environmental protection and good governance.
unfortunately, the European Union has not given blanket extension to the GSP Plus scheme which now requires a fresh application along with an action plan to implement thirty-two international conventions to continue enjoying benefits of the scheme till 2034. To wait for 2024 seems not comprehendable to the higher officials however the Prime Minister of Pakistan has referred to the one who was the reason behind obtaining GSP plus status for Pakistan.
At a dinner hosted by Zafar Bakhrawri, Secretary General United business group in the honour of Dr Gohar Ijaz to celebrate the honorary doctorate degree in recognition of social services by Punjab University, Governor Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar expressed his views regarding GSP, he said ” for the development and prosperity of Pakistan, providing excess of Pakistani products in your European market will be made duty free and tge5 European Commission is due to review Pakistan GSP Plus status for the year 2022 onwards and I would continue to get it extended for next 5 years.he is expected to visit Belgium for restrengthening the relations of Pakistan with the members of European parliament specially with members of parliamentary committee on international trade .in this situation the government of Pakistan should leave no stone unturned .kudos to Muhammad Sarwar for his will to take-up the task.
India has mal intentions for Pakistan and the whole world is witness of it. it leading a vicious propaganda campaign against Pakistan with the help of fake social media accounts, propagandas, accusation which are baseless. Likewise in European parliament India has tried its best to deprive Pakistan from the extension of GSP plus. Pakistan is working upon achieving its targets for a peaceful and progressive Islamic state but in it remained on grey list after implementing 26 out of 27-point FATF action planin spite of this its substantial progress on the action plan.
Pakistan has been beneficiary of European Union’s GSP Plus since 2014 which in strong relations between Pakistan European countries.Since Pakistan is granted the GSP plus status its exports to European union enhanced from 4.54 billion euros in 2013 to 7.50 billion euros in 2020. it caused earnings from foreign exchange and increase in job opportunities.It also led to Pakistan becoming the second-most important trading partner of the European Union. It also accounted for 14.3% of the total trade Pakistan conducted in 2020 and also of 28% of Pakistan’s total exports.Due to the GSP plus facility, nearly 80 per cent of Pakistan’s exports enter the EU at a preferential rate. Around a quarter of the items imported to the EU from Pakistan are from the textile sector, like bed linen, table linen and toilet and kitchen linen. The textile industry contributes over 60 per cent to the country’s exports. therefore, Extension in GSP plus status will increase Exports with Monetary benefit of almost 20 billion and also create job opportunities inthe textile industry.
There is no doubt about the efforts of Pakistan for strengthening itself economically socially politically and it will continue with productive cooperation with European union in economic ,trade and social sectors.However to qualify for preferential treatment for the next 10 years, The European block of 27 Nations has now proposed to include 5 new international conventions amongst which four of them are regarding human and Labour rights. It require the ratification of 32 conventions in total including afore mentioned 5 conventions along with an action plan which represents the implementation of all above.Pakistan, like any other potential beneficiary country, would have to demonstrate tangible progress to convince EU parliamentarians and member state governments.it is evident that it has made efforts for environmental change, tree plantation, controlling narcotics smuggling, merger of federally administered areas(FATA) into Khyber pakhtunkhwa, Ehsaas program, kartarpur corridor project, and legislation and measures to protect rights of women children as well as transgender had been highly appreciated In the European Parliament.
Its crystal clear that if Pakistan intends to avail the GSP plus incentives, in person meetings of high officials in Belgium are as important as it is incumbent for the vulnerable low- and lower-middle-income countries to implement 27 international conventions (32 in the new proposal), related to human rights, labour rights, protection of the environment and climate and good governance to benefit from this arrangement.
Written by: Muneezay Moeen
Bio: The writer is a lecturer and host.
