KARACHI: EU Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka urged Pakistan to broaden its exports beyond textiles to the European Union, taking full advantage of the recently-extended GSP Plus status until 2027.
“Pakistan should fully exploit the GSP Plus status”, EU envoy Dr Riina Kionka emphasized during a meeting organized by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
Highlighting the economic significance of GSP Plus, Kionka noted its positive impact over the past decade. The GSP Plus status, which benefits not only textile producers but also the entire workforce in the textile sector, has contributed to a notable 108% increase in Pakistan’s exports to the European Union.
Ambassador Kionka informed that the extension of GSP Plus maintains the existing framework until 2027, providing stability for Pakistan’s trade relations with the European Union. He expressed hope that negotiations for a new directive would commence soon, involving the new parliament and the Council of Member States of the EU.
Commenting on the untapped potential in Pakistan’s gems and jewellery sector, Kionka urged traders to capitalize on the value of raw materials domestically rather than outsourcing cutting, polishing, and jewellery making to other regions.
