ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports to the 28-member European Union (EU) during 2018 posted paltry growth of 2.84 per cent.

The dismal numbers show the failure of Generalised System of Preferences-Plus (GSP+) to help boost exports as total proceeds to the EU during the period under review amounted to €6.88 billion compared to €6.69bn in 2017.

Commerce Secretary Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera, while briefing the committee over the export performance, said the full potential of the scheme is yet to be realised.

The scheme became effective on Jan 1, 2014 and will remain till 2024 and Pakistan, as part of the agreement, implemented 27 UN conventions.

“We are sending yearly performance report to Brussels regarding compliance of these conventions”, Sukhera told the committee. He added that a dedicated treaty implementation cell has been established in each province to monitor and report on performance of conventions.

On the issue of posting trade officers abroad, Sukhera informed the meeting that government has posted 42 trade officers abroad at different stations in several countries.

Answering a question raised by Senator Talha Mehmood on why five trade officers were recalled from their positions abroad, Sukhera said that the officers were recalled after they failed to perform their required duties.

He said that PM Imran Khan has set up a complaint cell in the Commerce Division to monitor performance of trade officers posted abroad adding that those who fail to perform in their respective stations will be recalled in the future as well.

He added that there is no provincial quota for the selection of trade officers; however, overseas Pakistanis have been allocated 20pc quota.

Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Gilani informed the meeting that a special investment policy is being formulated to attract export-related investments in various sectors.

The committee suggested reciprocal concessions for investments to all member countries.

Senator Nauman also raised concerns over Chinese investors being given 23-year duty-free access whereas Beijing had extended the same to Pakistani investors for just five years.

The committee was also informed that notification for seven special economic zones (SEZs) has already been issued while adding that four SEZs are at advance stage of completion.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2019