Stockholm, 14 May 2023 (TDI): Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State, represented Pakistan at the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm, where she met with dignitaries from different countries.
She presented Pakistan’s point of view at the round table conference namely, “Building More Sustainable and Inclusive Prosperity Together,” and also called for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment and sustainable development.
Pakistan’s Minister of State appreciated the EU Global Gateway Strategy and the Green Deal. Pakistan is an important connectivity hub in the heart of Asia which seeks to deepen its engagement with European partners.
She further stressed on the importance of UN Sustainable Development Goals and recognition of the symbiotic relationship between sustainability and inclusivity. She said that to be in line with UN SDGs; the forum must focus on building free trade, win-win economic cooperation, and interconnectedness.
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Pakistan’s Minister also called for avoiding distortion, economic decoupling, new forms of protectionism and selective application of norms.
She proposed greater collaboration between the EU and Asia-Pacific countries.
At the EU Indo-Pacific forum, the Minister expressed hope that the new GSP Plus facility would continue to promote sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
Pakistan is a beneficiary of the GSP Scheme of the European Union (EU). Accordingly, the import of GSP-eligible products into the countries from Pakistan enjoys preferential tariffs (i.e., reduced or zero import duties).
However, the European Commission has adopted a legislative proposal to renew the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for the period 2024 to 2034 on 22 September 2021. The current GSP framework is based on Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 and is set to expire on 31 December 2023.
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