MULTAN, June 17th: Ambassador of European Union in Pakistan, Jean Francois Cautain has said that EU is keen on further enhance mutual economic and trade relations with Pakistan and stressed upon the Pakistani businessmen to play their proactive role in the complete implementation of all the conventions of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP-Plus) to enable Pakistan reap full benefits of the EU awarded GSP Plus Status.The EU ambassador while exchanging views with President of MCCI M.Sarfraz, Senior Vice President Khawaja Badar Munir, Vice Chancellor of MNS Agricultural University, Khawaja Mehr Ali President of Pakistan Tanners Association(PTA)Maj(Retd) M.Tariq Khan, Khawaja Muhammad Azam, Khurram Javed Butt Secretary General of MCCI,Syeda Sarwat Zahra, Saadia, Ms.Milhan he said the GSP- Plus would play a major role in increasing Pakistan exports to EU countries which had extended to Pakistan since January 1, 2014, allowing preferential access to Pakistani manufacturing products (mostly zero duties on two-thirds of all product categories) to EU markets. But, he said that Pakistan didn't take full benefits from the GSP Plus scheme.He said that Pakistan has a potential to export Surgical implements, sports Goods, Textile and leather,Carpets, fresh fruits and vegetables.He pledged that the European Union (EU), however, will continue extending support and cooperation to Pakistan to help it fulfill all the conditions of the GSP- Plus Status. He pointed out that the EU is keen to establish strong trade relations with Pakistan and stressed the need for taking effective measures to boost mutual trade ties.Jean Francois said the EU wants to extend economic and trade ties with Pakistan. For this purpose, he said that European Union and Pakistan has engaged under a comprehensive plan to extend cooperation and collaboration in various sectors, aiming at promotion durable economic development in Pakistan. M.Sarfraz urged the EU to play its role in removal of irritants and difficulties in way of bilateral trade between Pakistan and EU member states. He praised the financial and technical assistance for skills development, health and education sectors as well as natural calamity. MCCI chief briefed the visiting diplomat about investment opportunities and potentials in various sectors , mainly in value addition of Mango, barley, Citrus, Straw berry , manufacturing and transfer of technology as well as other important sectors. He urged the foreign companies to make investment in these potential sectors. M.Sarfraz hailed that EU for its continuous vigorous support to Pakistan in Technical Education and Vocational Training Agency (TEVTA) and expressed the financial assistance will be sustained in future. He expressed concern for low export of EU markets despite granting of GSP Plus status and stressed that need for complete implementation of all the conventions of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP- Plus) to enable Pakistan reap full benefits of the EU awarded GSP Plus Status. Khawaja Mehr Ali of Pakistan Tenners Association (PTA) threw light on the problems faced by Pakistan exporters due to discriminatory attitude of EU states.He said that Genuine exporters can't get visa of European Union easily while ingenuine people are enjoying the multiple visas.He complained that India, Bengladesh and other countries are enjoying all facilities while Pakistan products are delayed and detained in custom bonded ware houses.He said that all the member states of EU are applying their laws separately on Pakistani exporters only. Kh.Mehr Ali further said that a state of art water treatment plant was established to meet the requirement of foreign buyers. Khawaja Muhammad Azam said that millions of tons of Mango-stones were being wasted annually.While Indian was earning huge foreign exchange by exporting Mango-seed or stone to manufacturers of Cosmetics in Europe. He suggested that European investors should establish their cosmetic factories in Pakistan because cheapest raw material is available here. Syeda Sarwat Zahra briefed the guest about the achievement of women of rural and less developed areas.She urged the EU to play its due role in removal of hurdles in way of bilateral trade between two neighboring countries.
