Overview
- PTC leaders met with EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis on Tuesday and pledged to support the government’s reapplication process with policy engagement, technical input and industry coordination.
- The EU told Pakistani officials it is not imposing new standards but will judge GSP+ eligibility on demonstrable implementation of existing UN‑convention commitments, starting with short-term improvements and then a time‑bound action plan with clear timelines and performance indicators.
- The EU’s 2023–2025 assessment shows the bloc remains Pakistan’s largest market with textiles and clothing making up roughly 70–76% of Pakistani exports to the EU and reporting EUR 7.5 billion in GSP+‑eligible exports and about EUR 732 million in tariff relief in 2024.
- Textile industry leaders asked for sector‑level assessment separate from national findings and want clarity on emerging EU rules such as the Digital Product Passport and supply‑chain due diligence while warning that the EU–India free trade deal will raise competition for Pakistani exporters.
- Under the revised GSP rules that take effect on January 1, 2027, Pakistan must reapply by end‑2028 and the EU plans intensified engagement to monitor progress, a process whose outcome will directly affect factory jobs, rural suppliers and government revenues.