GSP-Plus status: President FCCI hails 21 percent increase in textile export

– Phenomenal increase of 21% in textile export to European Union (EU) countries during 2014 after the grant of GSP-Plus status is very encouraging , however diversification of export is imperative to fully harvest the benefit of this facility, said Engineer Rizwan Ashraf, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).

Addressing a seminar on GSP-Plus organised by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in FCCI, here today; he said that despite of energy crisis and financial crunch, the increase in export is indicative of the exceptional capabilities and hard work of our exporters. He said that now we have to make reinvigorated efforts to give our exports yet another quantum jump during the current year.

Commenting on the GSP-P status, he said that entire benefits of withdrawal or decrease in duties have been enjoyed by the EU importers, but on the other hand the cost of doing business for Pakistani exporters has been increased as they have to ensure compliance’s of 27 different conventions and protocols. He said that a portion of financial benefits of duty free import should also be passed on to the Pakistani Exporters.

He said that small and medium exporters were handicapped to avail the facility of GSP-Plus because of their inherent problems. However, FCCI has established a GSP cell to give them necessary information regarding the facility of GSP-Plus. Similarly seminars and workshops are also being arranged for their information and guidance.

Continuing, he said that small and medium units of dyeing, processing and printing could not export to EU countries as they were unable to fulfil the mandatory requirements of social and environmental compliance’s including treatment of their water effluent. He disclosed that central development working party has approved a study to set up combined waste water treatment plant in Faisalabad with French collaboration. It will help these units to fulfil the mandatory environment related compliance’s paving way for them to export their products directly to the EU countries.

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