Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF) has welcomed the approval of GSP Plus status for Pakistan by the European Union International Trade Committee and termed it good news for export-oriented industry of the county. In a press statement issued here on Thursday, PIAF Acting Chairman Khamis Saeed Butt said that government has to evolve a well thought strategy to get maximum benefit of the EU decision as enhancement of exports to the large market of European Union market could play a vital role in economic stability of the country.
He said that this development would increase Pakistan's textile export to EU nations. He said that Pakistan has achieved first ever milestone leading towards the GSP Plus status for its textile and clothing industry in the EU. Khamis Saeed expressed hope that the matter will be put forward to the EU Parliament on December 10, for granting duty-free market access to Pakistani exports under the Generalised System of Preference (GSP) Plus status with effect from January 01, 2014. He urged the government to fulfil energy needs of the industry to ensure level-playing field against competitors by operating without break to produce export surplus.