EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis calls for export diversification, stronger labour compliance and greater European investment as Pakistan prepares for the next GSP+ cycle.
Karachi, October 19, 2026: European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis has urged Pakistani exporters to diversify beyond traditional textiles and capitalise on emerging opportunities in engineering, IT services, leather and food products, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to Pakistan’s sustainable economic development.
Speaking during his visit to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) head office in Karachi, the ambassador acknowledged the federation’s pivotal role in bridging the gap between policy directives and commercial implementation.
The discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade, strengthening industrial linkages, attracting European investment and preparing Pakistan’s private sector for the next cycle of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
Karoblis described GSP+ as an effective driver of economic growth but stressed the need for Pakistani exporters to improve compliance with international conventions covering human rights and labour welfare.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said the EU remained one of Pakistan’s most important trading and development partners, with preferential market access under GSP+ serving as a cornerstone of the country’s economic stability.
He said Pakistan’s exports to the European single market had increased by more than 108 per cent over the past decade under the preferential tariff regime.
As Pakistan prepares for the next GSP+ cycle, Sheikh reaffirmed the industrial sector’s commitment to meeting international obligations concerning human rights, labour welfare, climate action and good governance.
He added that FPCCI aimed to facilitate joint ventures and European direct investment in high-potential sectors, including renewable energy, digital services, high-value textile manufacturing and agro-processing.
The objective, he said, was to move beyond conventional buyer-seller relationships towards long-term partnerships based on technology transfer and industrial cooperation.
FPCCI Senior Vice-President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon highlighted the need for targeted trade facilitation, regulatory harmonisation and lower domestic business costs to help Pakistani industries compete in demanding European markets.
He also pointed to the importance of strengthening industrial competitiveness and building resilience against volatility in global supply chains.
Meanwhile, Zubair Baweja, head of FPCCI’s Pak-EU Business Forum, outlined efforts to develop sustainable business-to-business links between European buyers and Pakistani exporters.
He said the forum reflected FPCCI’s commitment to turning trade opportunities into practical commercial partnerships.
The engagement underscored the importance of export diversification, international standards compliance and stronger investment ties in sustaining Pakistan’s access to European markets.