EU Parliament extends GSP+ status for Pakistan till 2027

The parliament voted with 561 in favour, five against and two in abstention

(Web Desk) - Amid mounting economic woes, Pakistan on Thursday got four-year extension in the current generralised system of preferences (GSP) until 2027.

The European Parliament unani­mously voted to extend the current GSP for developing nations, including Pak­istan, to avail duty-free or minimum duty on exports to the European market.

An official statement issued by the EU Parliament stated that the parliament voted with 561 in favour, five against and two in abstention to extend the current rules on the GSP schemes, including GSP+.

The move comes after talks with the EU Council on the new rules were paused in June. In September this year, the INTA Committee, a trade body of the EU Parliament, approved the extension of GSP schemes for 60 developing countries.

Alhamdolillah, I am pleased to share that the EU MEPs have decided to roll over the rules on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) till 2027. The European Council is expected to give its final approval for the extension of the current Scheme soon. I take this opportunity… pic.twitter.com/ANQvHX9Jj5

— Dr Gohar Ejaz (@Gohar_Ejaz1) October 5, 2023

In an X post, caretaker Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz said all schemes under the GSP had been extended for four years and that the decision would ensure that Pakistani exporters could keep selling their goods to the EU market with certainty.

“I take this opportunity to reiterate Pakistan’s commitments under the scheme for the betterment of all,” the minister said, adding that Pakistan will comply with all obligations and effective implementation of 27 EU conventions.

EU Ambassador to Pakistan Riina Kionka also took to X and said this rollover was proposed so as to avoid a cliff edge at the end of 2023. “It is unrelated to Pakistan’s performance or that of any other beneficiary country. EU member states will decide soon and monitoring will continue,” she further said.

To clarify: This rollover is proposed so as to avoid a cliff edge at the end of 2023. It is unrelated to ’s performance or that of any other beneficiary country. Member States will decide soon. Monitoring will continue. https://t.co/Komdbf6mAy https://t.co/MvpJWwkxFc

— Riina Kionka (@RKionka) October 5, 2023