As a prerequisite for implementation of new regulations for nations availing the GSP Plus status, the European Union (EU) parliament wants enhanced monitoring and inspection, revealed Special Representative of EU for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore.
In a meeting with All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) President Syed Maaz Mahmood on Saturday, the EU official discussed the new regulations and their applications to ensure the continuity of the GSP Plus facility.
Gilmore underlined that the European Union wanted “rapid implementation” of new laws, as its parliament had passed two resolutions to review the GSP Plus status.
On the occasion, APBF president lauded EU Ambassador Androula Kaminara and the special representative for their support for continuation of the GSP Plus status for Pakistan.
He thanked Gilmore for visiting Pakistan and sharing EU’s perspective with the business community, which was the main beneficiary of this facility and followed International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions with utmost seriousness.
“We welcome the efforts of EU to extend the GSP Plus status for Pakistan to enable the country to continue enjoying preferential duties on exports for the next almost 10 years,” he said. He underlined that continuation of this facility depended on Pakistan’s progress on implementation of new laws and development of institutions to incorporate 27 core conventions of GSP Plus, especially the National Action Plan for human rights.
Stressing the need for widespread awareness programmes on GSP Plus, he pledged to launch a drive in collaboration with the EU, in the economic zones and industrial clusters of the country to fulfill the objective.
He said that Pakistan’s aims to create jobs, empower women and pursue a social and economic plan were in line with the objectives of GSP Plus scheme. Pakistan was determined to implement the 27 conventions of GSP Plus, he added.
“We are awaiting the visit of the European Monitoring Commission,” he said and projected that the legislative and administrative steps taken by Pakistan would prove mutually beneficial.
Through the GSP Plus status, Pakistan has been availing tariff concessions on export of its products to the European Union, he mentioned.
Mahmood further commended the efforts of the government for formulating policies and laws to completely implement the 27 conventions of GSP Plus.
Pakistan’s exports to the European Union touched $7.5 billion, or 34% of total exports of the country, in 2021.
“We are ready to work with EU to focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a bid to exploit this facility and conduct awareness programmes regarding implementation of ILO conventions in the industrial clusters across the country.”
“We are working alongside government agencies in this regard,” he added.
He was of the view that APBF could play a vital role in enhancing collaboration of public and private sectors to improve ease of doing business in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2022.
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