By Adnan Rafique
ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Commerce Thursday informed the National Assembly that as a result of Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+), Pakistan garments exports to European Union (EU) had increased from $6.87 billion in 2013 to $7.98 billion in 2018. In a written in the National Assembly, the ministry told that under GSP+ Pakistan had duty free access in the EU market for garments and apparel and Pakistan exports in garments and hosiery had increased by 92 percent. It said the garment sector was one of the major sectors of the Pakistan exports basket and Ministry of Commerce had always undertaken several steps to get market access for the Pakistani garments in international markets through trade diplomacy and trade promotion. The ministry said in all bilateral arrangements under free and preferential trade agreements with other trading partners textile sector and garments figured prominently. Some of the recent steps taken by the ministry for access of the Pakistani garments in the international market were delineated below. In order to boost garments exports to China, the government had taken various steps. There was early implementation of the Phase-II of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) which had been signed during visit of prime minister to China April, 2019 and implemented from January 1, 2020.
