Trade concessions: Lobbying under way for GSP Plus extension
EU parliament will hold debate on the issue in coming months
PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has started lobbying for extension in the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus status granted to Pakistan by the European Union in 2014.
FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam has asked all vice presidents of the apex chambers and other businessmen to use their contacts and forcefully present the case of Pakistan for extension in the relaxed trade rules, says a press release.
Govt starts lobbying for extension in GSP Plus scheme
To highlight the importance of the issue, the FPCCI invited different ambassadors and high commissioners for a meeting, where leaders of business community from all over the country were also present.
Speaking to the diplomats, Alam said the GSP Plus scheme, which provided duty concessions on the export of many goods, should be extended for the next term.
The government has also tasked the embassies to start lobbying for approval of the extension in the GSP Plus scheme by the EU parliament, which will hold debate on the issue in coming months. The business community has also been asked to use its connections in the larger national interest.
Pakistan has failed when it comes to trade with China
In January 2014, the EU granted the GSP Plus status offering duty-free access to its markets for two years. Now, the facility will be extended for the next term on the basis of progress and achievements over the past two years.
Alam expressed the hope that the EU parliament would give its go-ahead for the extension.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2016.
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has started lobbying for extension in the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus status granted to Pakistan by the European Union in 2014.
FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam has asked all vice presidents of the apex chambers and other businessmen to use their contacts and forcefully present the case of Pakistan for extension in the relaxed trade rules, says a press release.
Govt starts lobbying for extension in GSP Plus scheme
To highlight the importance of the issue, the FPCCI invited different ambassadors and high commissioners for a meeting, where leaders of business community from all over the country were also present.
Speaking to the diplomats, Alam said the GSP Plus scheme, which provided duty concessions on the export of many goods, should be extended for the next term.
The government has also tasked the embassies to start lobbying for approval of the extension in the GSP Plus scheme by the EU parliament, which will hold debate on the issue in coming months. The business community has also been asked to use its connections in the larger national interest.
Pakistan has failed when it comes to trade with China
In January 2014, the EU granted the GSP Plus status offering duty-free access to its markets for two years. Now, the facility will be extended for the next term on the basis of progress and achievements over the past two years.
Alam expressed the hope that the EU parliament would give its go-ahead for the extension.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2016.