The Pakistan Garment Industry Still Needs to Overcome Certain Challenges

The Pakistan garment industry still needs to overcome certain challenges and produce goods of international standards in order to fully benefit from the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status granted by the European Union (EU), these views were expressed by speakers during the recently held seminar  ‘GSP-Plus Status: Imperatives for Garments Industry in Pakistan’ in Faisalabad.

The seminar, organized by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (MKRMS), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for Pakistan and the Government College University of Faisalabad, saw participation from various Pakistani leaders including Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Federal Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Tallal Chaudhary, and other textile industry leaders.

At the seminar, Federal Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Tallal Chaudhary said the country had received the GSP+ status due to the continuous efforts of the Government.

Textile products will get an access to 27 EU countries after the GSP+ status which will be applicable from January, 1, 2014, and it will increase the exports by US$1 billion in addition to creating one million new jobs in the country, he added.

Faisalabad Commissioner Akram Javed said that in order to reap maximum benefits from the GSP+ status, the garment industry of the country must produce international standard goods and industrialists operating in the apparel sector, should start programs to employ youth in the sector.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said the grant of GSP+ status from EU is an experience and a lesson to be learnt as many Pakistani ambassadors in the EU played an active role in lobbying for the country.

At the seminar, industry leaders and government officials discussed the various challenges faced by the garment industry of the country and sought solutions for fully benefiting from the GSP+ status