ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the grant of Generalised Scheme of Preference (GSP) Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union demonstrated the trust and confidence of the EU countries in the quality and competitiveness of the Pakistan’s textile goods and products.
The President said this while attending a group of ambassadors from European countries led by EU Ambassador Lars Gunnar Wigemarkat at the Presidency.
He expressed his confidence that the facility would give great impetus to the government’s efforts for steering the economy towards the path of revival and stability.
Members of the delegation included Charge d’Affaires of Austria Christian Wohlmuther, Ambassador of Belgium Peter Clases, British Deputy High Commissioner Alison Blake, Ambassador of Bulgaria Rouman Pironcthev, Ambassador of the Czech Republic Miroslav Krenek, Charge d’Affaires of Denmark Ms Inge Durant, Ambassador of France Philippe Thieband, Ambassador of Germany Dr Cyrill Jean Nunn, Ambassador of Greece Petros Mavroidis, Ambassador of Hungary Isvan Szabo, Ambassador of Italy Adriano Chiodi Cianfarani, Ambassador of the Netherlands Marcel de Vink, Ambassador of Poland Dr Andrzej Ananicz, Ambassador of Romania Emilian Ion, Ambassador of Spain Javier M Carbajosa, Ambassador of Sweden Thomas Rosander, and Charge d’Affaires of Portugal Jose Carneiro Mendes.
From Pakistani side those present during the meeting included among others Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary, Secretary Commerce Qasim M Niaz, Secretary Textile Industry Ms Rukhsana Shah and Secretary to the President Nadeem Hassan Asif.
Welcoming the European Union ambassadors, the President appreciated the European Commission, European Council, all EU institutions and members of European Parliament for their continued support and assistance to Pakistan for getting GSP Plus status. He also thanked EU’s Ambassador in Islamabad, Lars Gunnar Wigemark, for his positive role in Pakistan’s inclusion in the scheme and strengthening Pakistan-EU relations.
He said the GSP Plus status would not only help boost Pakistan’s exports to the EU countries, but would also strengthen its economy through greater trade, increased economic activities and creating employment opportunities for its people.
The President noted with satisfaction the upward trajectory in Pakistan-EU relations since the return of democracy in Pakistan and expressed confidence that relations between Pakistan and European Union would continue to grow in coming days to the mutual benefit.
On the occasion, he also highlighted the government’s priorities including revival of economy, overcoming the energy shortage, eradicating extremism and promoting Human Rights. He reiterated the government’s commitment towards good governance and introducing fiscal measures to revive and stabilise the country’s economy.
EU Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and the delegation thanked the President for meeting and assured support and assistance of the EU and the member countries to Pakistan in revival of the economy, promoting good governance and combating terrorism and extremism.
