ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed its keen desire to get the GSP-Plus status to get preferential access to the European Union markets, Federal Minister for Investment Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan said here on Wednesday.
Under the ‘GSP+ Status’ the European Union is giving access to 176 countries to do business in the European markets on reduced tariffs, Senator Waqar told the envoys of Czech Republic and Greece who called on him, to lobby for Pakistan in the European Union.
The two ambassadors agreed in principles to vote and lobby for Pakistan in achieving maximum support for Pakistan in the European Union.
The minister further expressed the desire to Czech Ambassador Pavol Sepelak and Greek Ambassador Petros Mavroidis the government was also desirous of concluding BITs with their respective countries in addition to promoting mutual trade and investment.
Mr Waqar stressed the need to enhance the country’s trade volume with European countries to help reduce poverty and maintain sustainable economic growth.
‘It is imperative that the European Union joined hands with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and allowed free access of Pakistani products to European markets, he appreciated.
The minister also referred to the recent meetings of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani with the German Chancellor and the British prime minister during which mutual trade and investment opportunities were discussed. In continuation of that policy, Mr Waqar shared and conveyed the desire of the government to gain access to European markets.
He informed the ambassadors that Pakistan was a resource-rich country and offered huge investment opportunities to the world.
On the other hand, Pakistan needs help from the European countries so that the country’s emerging local market gets exposure of the state-of–the-art European markets.
In fact, this is the best way to enhance the level of competitiveness of local market of Pakistan, he said.
Source:dawn.com/
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