EU considers trade concessions for Pakistan

French ambassador says duty waiver will help develop local economy.

KARACHI: Eurozone members are expected to grant a special duty waiver to Pakistan for export of certain commodities in a bid to give more market access, says French Ambassador Philippe Thiebaud.

“We expect the waiver to be approved by March 1 and this is part of our commitment to help develop Pakistan’s economy,” said the ambassador, but did not elaborate which commodities would get duty concessions.

He was speaking at an event organised by the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations at the Defence Authority Club here on Friday.

Discussing Pakistan’s energy issues, Thiebaud acknowledged that sanctions against Iran may hamper the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. However, he said “we are eager to find a solution to the project and France can also try and help in supplying oil and gas to Pakistan.”

He said these reservations should be put on hold as the pipeline had not yet been completed, but a diplomat in the audience reminded him that Iran had completed its part of the pipeline. Another one from the audience pointed out that Pakistan did not need to build anything because of the presence of Sui pipeline network.

A retired air marshal then accused the European Union of paying lip service only and said it had not followed through on commitments on trade and other matters.

To this, the ambassador gave a stern rebuttal, saying “this is not EU’s fault. I am not here to drop names, but others have stood in the way of granting trade benefits in the World Trade Organisation.”

Defending French promises, Thiebaud said his country was already working on projects in Pakistan, particularly in the area of water and sanitation. Further substantiating the claim, he said Pakistan’s exports to France increased 28 per cent last year.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2012.