Mian Zahid calls for addressing EU concerns

Business Recorder reported that Mian Zahid Hussain has urged government bodies and exporters to respond jointly to European Union concerns and protect Pakistan’s GSP+ access. He cited State Bank figures showing exports to European markets fell 1.84 percent year-on-year to USD2.35 billion in July, September 2026, with receipts from Western and Eastern Europe down 8.51 percent and 15.05 percent respectively.

Hussain called for lower production and freight costs, better access to recognised testing facilities, clearer raw-material documentation and compliance with environmental and labour requirements. He also pointed to the EU’s July 2026 review of Pakistan’s GSP+ implementation, and said governments should show measurable progress on 32 international conventions before seeking continued preferences from 2029.

The EU’s 2024 figures put Pakistani exports eligible for GSP+ at €7.5 billion, with estimated tariff savings of €732 million. Hussain warned that any loss of preferential access, alongside improved European access for Indian textiles under a negotiated trade deal, could put Pakistani textile and apparel orders, jobs and foreign exchange receipts under pressure.