Ahsan Iqbal reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to good governance at the National Conference on GSP Plus
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening governance as part of its sustainable development agenda during the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s National Conference on ‘Promoting Good Governance through Trade: Leveraging GSP+’.
In his address, Iqbal emphasized the pivotal role of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP Plus) in driving both economic growth and governance reforms in Pakistan.
“GSP+ is not just a trade arrangement but a partnership based on shared global values, including human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and good governance,” he said.
“By adhering to the 27 international conventions under the GSP+ framework, Pakistan has positioned itself as a responsible and competitive global partner,” he informed.
“At the heart of Pakistan’s development vision lies the 5Es Framework: Exports, E-Pakistan, Equity & Empowerment, Environment, and Energy.”
“Export-led growth is our top priority, and the GSP+ scheme serves as a vital driver of this strategy.”
The Federal Minister shared.
“Over the past decade, Pakistan’s exports to the EU have more than doubled, reaching $10 billion in 2023.”
“This growth is particularly driven by our textile and apparel sectors, which now account for nearly 75% of our total trade with the EU,” the minister stated.
“This trade success reflects the strength of the GSP+ program in opening new markets and creating opportunities for Pakistani businesses,” he noted.
He presented the following recommendations: 1) Establish export diversification zones with incentives for green technologies and high-value products. 2) Create a National Compliance Task Force to oversee GSP+ implementation and address gaps in governance. 3) Strengthen public private partnerships to modernize industries, enhance skills, and adopt innovation. 4) Invest in export-oriented energy projects to ensure affordable and reliable energy for exporters. 5) Leverage digitization to enhance transparency in trade practices and reduce inefficiencies.
The benefits of GSP+ go beyond economics, the minister further stated.
“The program provides critical support to Pakistan as we face the devastating impacts of climate change.”
“As the 7th most climate-affected country in the world, the preferential access granted under GSP+ helps mitigate the environmental and economic challenges we face,” he added.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing its engagement with the international community through the GSP+ program while promoting sustainable development and responsible governance.
H.E. Dr. Riina Kionka, the European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, said in her keynote address, “Economic growth and environmental sustainability are crucial; GSP Plus is also fundamentally about governance.”
Birgit Lamm, Head of the Country Office for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) in Pakistan, also addressed the conference and highlighted the strategic significance of the GSP+ arrangement.
“GSP+ is a unilateral mechanism offered by the EU to specific countries as an incentive to implement the international legal frameworks that these countries have already signed. The incentive is free access to EU markets,” Lamm said.
She further highlighted the importance of trade with values.
The National Conference brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, business leaders,
and civil society representatives, to discuss how to leverage trade to promote better governance and
unlock the full potential of GSP Plus for Pakistan’s growth.
Other speakers included Senator Mohsin Leghari, former Finance Minister of Punjab, and
Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of the CPDI, Dr. Aadil Nakhoda, Assistant Professor IBA
Karachi, Muhammad Iqbal Tabish, Member National Tariff Commission of Pakistan, and Mr. Adnan
Younis Lodhi, Policy Advisor, United Nations International Trade Center.
