Pakistan, EU agree to implement GSP Plus conventions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and European Union (EU) agreed on Friday to implement international conventions under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), and enhance bilateral trade and address issues hampering it.

The EU-Pakistan Joint Commission was held by video conference on June 16, 2021. The plenary of the commission was preceded by sub-group meetings on Development Cooperation, held on February 25 2021; Trade, held on March 2, 2021; and Democracy, Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights, held on June 1, 2021, read an official communique released today.

“The EU and Pakistan agreed to enhance bilateral trade, including by addressing issues that are hampering trade and investment, improving the business climate, and Pakistan’s efforts towards full implementation of the 27 international conventions stipulated under the EU’s unilateral trade preferences scheme, the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+),” it said.”

Pakistan acknowledged the extension of its GSP+ status as a mutually rewarding step and affirmed its full commitment to fulfill its obligations under the GSP+.The EU raised concerns regarding death penalty and the abuse of blasphemy laws.