Accessing EU markets: GSP Plus a step towards strong economy, says Shahbaz
Ambassador Cautain praised the provincial government for its efforts to meet the GSP Plus conditions
European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Jean Francois Cautain calls on CM Punjab. PHOTO: NNI
LAHORE:
The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status has helped Pakistan’s textile industry gain access to European markets resulting in an increase in trade volume, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday.
The chief minister was speaking to European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Jean Francois Cautain who called on him.
Sharif said the GSP Plus was being effectively implemented in the province and that a cabinet committee had been set up to benefit from the system. He said Pakistan gave great importance to its ties with the European Union with regard to development of education and health sectors.
He said the government had been working on a programme to further empower the youth, particularly women in the Punjab. The chief minister said a steering committee had been formed to curb child labour. He said a package had been introduced to provide education to children working at brick kilns.
“These children will also be paid a monthly stipend,” Sharif said.
The chief minister said Pakistan faced several challenges, including terrorism, extremism and electricity shortage.
He said those who had attacked the Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, deserved no mercy. “The government has taken appropriate steps to eliminate terrorism and end the energy crisis,” he said. He said a number of power projects had been launched that would start generating electricity by the end of 2017. This would help substantially reduce the duration of load shedding, Sharif said.
Ambassador Cautain praised the provincial government for its efforts to meet the GSP Plus conditions. He also welcomed the establishment of Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory. He said the European Union was keen to expand its ties with Pakistan.
The ambassador also presented a report regarding progress on GSP Plus to the chief minister. Human Rights Minister Khalil Tahir Sandhu, the industries secretary and the labour Secretary also attended the meeting. Separately, the chief minister expressed sorrow over the demise of Justice (r) Ameer Alam Khan and prayed for the departed soul.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2016.
The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status has helped Pakistan’s textile industry gain access to European markets resulting in an increase in trade volume, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday.
The chief minister was speaking to European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Jean Francois Cautain who called on him.
Sharif said the GSP Plus was being effectively implemented in the province and that a cabinet committee had been set up to benefit from the system. He said Pakistan gave great importance to its ties with the European Union with regard to development of education and health sectors.
He said the government had been working on a programme to further empower the youth, particularly women in the Punjab. The chief minister said a steering committee had been formed to curb child labour. He said a package had been introduced to provide education to children working at brick kilns.
“These children will also be paid a monthly stipend,” Sharif said.
The chief minister said Pakistan faced several challenges, including terrorism, extremism and electricity shortage.
He said those who had attacked the Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, deserved no mercy. “The government has taken appropriate steps to eliminate terrorism and end the energy crisis,” he said. He said a number of power projects had been launched that would start generating electricity by the end of 2017. This would help substantially reduce the duration of load shedding, Sharif said.
Ambassador Cautain praised the provincial government for its efforts to meet the GSP Plus conditions. He also welcomed the establishment of Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory. He said the European Union was keen to expand its ties with Pakistan.
The ambassador also presented a report regarding progress on GSP Plus to the chief minister. Human Rights Minister Khalil Tahir Sandhu, the industries secretary and the labour Secretary also attended the meeting. Separately, the chief minister expressed sorrow over the demise of Justice (r) Ameer Alam Khan and prayed for the departed soul.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2016.