PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar here on Sunday urged the small-scale manufacturers and traders to take full benefit from the special EU scheme of GSP+ to enhance the country’s exports and stabilise economy.

They said that the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status granted by the European Union had allowed a duty-free access of Pakistani products to the EU markets to enhance the country’s exports.

The seminar titled “EU and Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – Engine of Development and Partners” was held under the auspices of EU-Pakistan Business Forum-2022 in Peshawar.

Thomas Seiler, charge d’affaires of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, was the chief guest on the occasion, according to a statement.

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior vice-president Imran Khan Mohmand represented the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa business community at the forum.

Stakeholders, officials from government departments, exporters attached with precious and semi-precious stone sector, small-scale manufacturers, traders and others were also in attendance.

Appreciating the hosting of EU-Pakistan business forum -2022 in Peshawar, Mr Mohmand said that vast opportunities were available to boost exports and bilateral trade with EU countries.

He said that along with textile and fabrics other important sectors of Pakistan should also enhance exports to the EU market under the scheme to help stabilise the local economy.

The SCCI office-bearer noted that export of Pakistani products to EU market had enhanced after the grant of GSP+ status, in which textile and fabrics had a major share.

However, he stressed the need for taking full benefit from the GSP + status, allowing duty-free access of Pakistan’s products to the EU market.

Thomas Seiler on this occasion also asked the small traders and manufacturers to take full benefit from the EU scheme.

Published in Dawn,June 20th, 2022