Atiq A Kochra, Zonal Chairman Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), has termed the European Union's decision to redesign its Generalised System of Preferences for GSP Plus scheme by increasing the minimum threshold from one to two percent, as very positive development for Pakistan's economy.
"This will improve the sustainability of our manufacturing sector and will create additional business and job opportunities", he said. PRGMEA has long maintained that getting GSP Plus is absolutely essential for survival of our manufacturing industry, he added.
According to Kochra, the modified GSP-Plus rules have only improved Pakistan's chances qualifying for GSP Plus. Now the government needs to sincerely work towards the implementation of 27 conventions required for getting GSP Plus. These conventions include human and labour rights, environment and good governance, amongst others, which are particularly difficult to implement and substantiate. Even after Pakistan qualifies for GSP Plus, the government will have to continually show improvement in its performance on these conventions, otherwise GSP benefits can be suspended.
Kochra said that we have been advocating since long that a high level task-force should be constituted which will comprise members from both public and private sectors in order to review progress, analyse possible obstacles/hindrances and take appropriate action to counter any negative campaigning by our competitors.-PR
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