Pakistan-EU Trade: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to bolstering trade and economic ties with the European Union through the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). During a meeting with EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis on January 30, 2026, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the GSP+ programme in facilitating preferential access to European markets.
Pakistan-EU Trade: The GSP+ Programme
The GSP+ scheme offers developing countries reduced import duties on over two-thirds of tariff lines, contingent upon adherence to 27 international conventions related to sustainable development and human rights. Pakistan, being one of the eight beneficiaries, aims to leverage this scheme to enhance trade relations.
Ambassador Karoblis appreciated the warm reception and expressed the EU’s intention to deepen its engagement with Pakistan. The upcoming EU-Pakistan Business Forum in April is expected to further strengthen bilateral business ties.
The meeting also referenced the seventh Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels last November, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and investment links. The dialogue underscored the significance of sustained collaboration on economic, security, and developmental fronts.
In a separate announcement, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) under the Arif Habib Consortium. This initiative is expected to enhance the airline’s operational standards and contribute to Pakistan’s broader economic growth strategy.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 30th, 2026
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