Head of GSP Plus Monitoring Mission Alina Boiciuc has said the export of Pakistani products to EU countries has increased after granting the Generalised System Preferences (GPS) Plus status to the country. She stated this while speaking at a meeting with members of business community at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) here on Thursday.
She said that during the last one year export has been recorded over one billion euro due to duty free access to Pakistani products to the European market. She furthermore said that the current export volume between Pakistan and EU countries would be touched at six billion euros at the end this year. During the meeting KPCCI President Ishaq, Vice presidents Engr Maqsood Anwar Pervez, Haji Iqbal Khan, chamber's former president Afan Aziz and member of executive committee Muhammad Ishtiaq were present.
Accompanied by Deputy Head of Unit EEAS services Tomas Niklasson, EU Head of Political and Trade Johan Sorensen, Senior Trade Advisor Husnain A Iftakhar, Alina said the European countries have been traded with more than 28 countries across the world in textile and garment sector.
Following the granting of GSP Plus status to Pakistan, she said the country preference was increased in the regional states. She said the duty-free access to Pakistani products to EU market could not only enhance export volume to the country, but also generate employment for opportunities in the region.
Alina, who is also EU Director General Trade Services has welcomed the offer to EU members' countries on behalf of KPCCI chief to make investment in various potential sectors in KP. While speaking on the occasion, KPCCI president invited the EU and investors of its members' countries, to invest in KP. He said that there is lot of potential for investment in hydel power generation, textile, industry, marble, gems and jewellery, mine and mineral, and skilled development sectors.
Ishaq reminded that KP has been worst-affected region in the ongoing war against terrorism. He said the Peshawar is to be considered golden-gate for Afghanistan and Central Asian Republic (CAR) countries. He asked the companies of EU members' countries, to fearlessly invest in the KP and rest part of the country. He said government is making all possible efforts for protection and security of foreign investors in the country.
KPCCI president expressed hope that the granting of GSP Plus status to the country would bring economic revolution in KP, which could eliminate terrorism and create employment opportunities in the province. He said there is lot of space for strengthening bilateral trade relations between KP and EU countries. He said the chamber is ready to extend every kind of support in this regard. KPCCI president urged the government to ensure uninterrupted electricity to industries across the country, to take industrialists and exporters full benefit from GSP Plus status.