EU ambassador warns Pakistan of risks to GSP+ trade preferences — Dawn
European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis said that the country cannot take for granted the continued receipt of GSP+ trade preferences. Islamabad is negotiating with Brussels over reapplying to participate in the new system, whose requirements will be stricter. Dawn reports.
The current EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences is due to expire at the end of 2026. The new regime will take effect from the beginning of next year, while current beneficiaries, including Pakistan, will continue receiving preferences during a transition period until 31 December 2028. However, this mechanism does not mean an automatic extension of preferences or an automatic transition to the new scheme.
European Commission’s remarks
Karoblis stressed that the Pakistani authorities must improve the situation and that specific steps will matter for the reapplication. According to him, the European Commission has serious doubts about Pakistan’s effective implementation of the international conventions on which GSP+ is based.
The European Commission’s assessment for 2023–2025, published in July, identified problems with compliance with obligations, regression in a number of areas and limited positive changes. The document raised concerns over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, freedom of expression, the rights of journalists and minorities, judicial independence, access to justice and forced labour.
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Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that the government appreciated the European Commission’s recognition that the country continues to comply with 27 international conventions. At the same time, he believes that the overall picture in the report was not sufficiently balanced and assured that Islamabad is ready to cooperate constructively with the EU.
High stakes for exports
Pakistan is the largest beneficiary of GSP+ and has used the scheme since 2014. In 2024, the country received nearly €732 million in duty exemptions, while exports worth €7.115 billion benefited from preferential access to the EU market. Pakistan’s total exports to the European Union that year amounted to €8.275 billion.
The EU accounts for about 28% of Pakistan’s total exports, and around 90% of shipments to the bloc are eligible for GSP+ preferences. The textile and clothing industries depend most on the regime, accounting for between 70% and 76% of Pakistani exports to the European market.
The new regime will cover 32 international conventions instead of the current 27. According to the EU ambassador, Pakistan has already ratified five additional conventions, but their practical implementation will be the decisive criterion. For its reapplication, the country must also prepare an action plan with specific measures, deadlines and performance indicators.
