GSP plus status: Exports increased sharply in 2014

Minister claims goods worth $1.08 billion have been exported to the EU since January 2014 to October 3, 2014

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir informed the National Assembly that Pakistan’s exports had recorded a sharp increase owing to the GSP Plus status and the set target for additional exports to the European Union was achieved in just 10 months.

“Target of $1 billion was set for additional exports during last year, but goods worth $1.08 billion have been exported to the EU since January 2014 to October 3, 2014, up 20%.”

In response to a question, he said only 138 items were imported from India through the Wagah land route. The rest of the items importable from India under different tariff lines could only be imported by sea or through rail.

He further informed that the first phase of the FTA with China has been completed and negotiations for the second phase were under way. “Besides a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed with Indonesia in 2013, no FTA has been signed with any country during the last two years.” To another query regarding seafood exports, the minister said trade statistics for January-September 2014 indicate that there has been an export of $2.47 million to the EU.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th,  2015.

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