European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex) has strongly opposed changes to the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) proposed by the European Union (EU) Commission to grant duty-free access to Pakistan, in a statement issued recently.
Euratex believes the changes will increase the vulnerability threshold of the GSP+ from one percent to two percent, which will have a severe impact on the EU textile and clothing industry.
“This increase in the vulnerability threshold of GSP+ was tailor made in order to include Pakistan among the beneficiary countries,” said Alberto Paccanelli, President, Euratex.
“If this proposal is approved, Pakistan will be able to export to the EU without paying any duty.”
Euratex argues that this is not the first time that the EU has decided to grant duty-free access to Pakistan, with a change in the vulnerability threshold of GSP+ already under consideration last year and a waiver proposal, pending at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
“Pakistan is among the top world exporters in textile and the fourth EU supplier,”
