ISLAMABAD, APR 17 (DNA): Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting on Friday with Raimundas Karoblis to discuss strengthening Pakistan–European Union economic relations, with a particular focus on the upcoming Pakistan–EU Business Forum scheduled to be held on April 28–29, 2026, in Islamabad and the continued importance of the GSP Plus scheme.
The meeting underscored that the Pakistan–EU Business Forum will serve as a major platform to deepen trade and investment cooperation.
Both sides highlighted that the forum is expected to bring together a large number of participants, including government representatives, business leaders, and institutional stakeholders from Pakistan and across the European Union,said a release issued here on Friday.
It was noted that the event will feature extensive business-to-business (B2B) engagements, with hundreds of meetings planned between Pakistani and European companies.
These interactions are aimed at fostering direct partnerships, facilitating investment flows, and identifying new avenues for collaboration across key sectors.
The Minister emphasized that the forum comes at a critical time and presents an opportunity for Pakistan to project a strong, business-friendly image globally.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing full support to ensure the success of the event, including facilitation for international participants and expanding B2B engagement opportunities where required.
Both sides also discussed the possibility of making such engagements more regular, transforming the forum into a sustained platform for continuous dialogue between Pakistani and European businesses.
The importance of maintaining momentum between forums through structured engagement mechanisms was also highlighted.
A key area of discussion remained the European Union’s GSP+ scheme, which continues to play a vital role in supporting Pakistan’s exports to EU markets.
European representatives acknowledged Pakistan’s progress and noted that the scheme has significantly contributed to enhancing export opportunities, particularly in sectors such as textiles.
The Minister stressed that Pakistan remains committed to fulfilling all requirements under the GSP+ framework and views it as a cornerstone for strengthening bilateral trade.
He highlighted that maintaining and optimizing the benefits of GSP+ is essential for sustaining export growth and improving competitiveness in international markets.
Discussions also touched upon Pakistan’s ongoing tariff rationalization efforts, with the government working towards reducing duty structures to facilitate imports of raw materials and intermediate goods.
European partners welcomed these measures, noting that efficient import policies are crucial for boosting export performance and strengthening industrial supply chains.
The meeting further explored opportunities to enhance investor confidence by improving predictability, transparency, and policy consistency.
European stakeholders emphasized the importance of a stable and conducive business environment to attract long-term investments.
Additionally, the potential for broader regional collaboration was discussed, including the possibility of engaging Gulf-based partners in future initiatives to create trilateral investment opportunities involving Pakistan, the European Union, and the Gulf region.
Both sides agreed that Pakistan offers significant potential for European businesses, with a growing market, strategic location, and expanding industrial base.
They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation, enhancing private-sector linkages, and leveraging upcoming platforms to unlock new economic opportunities.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to further deepen Pakistan–EU trade and investment relations, maximize the benefits of GSP+, and ensure that the upcoming Business Forum delivers tangible outcomes for businesses on both sides.
