European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis has visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) headquarters in Karachi for discussions on strengthening economic ties, expanding trade diversification and preparing Pakistani businesses for the upcoming cycle of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said the high-level meeting brought together diplomatic representatives and business leaders to explore opportunities for diversifying Pakistan’s exports, attracting European investment into high-potential domestic sectors and strengthening compliance with international sustainability conventions.
GSP+ Remains Central to Pakistan-EU Trade Relations
Sheikh described the European Union as one of Pakistan’s most important trading and development partners, highlighting the significance of preferential market access under GSP+ for the country’s economic stability and export growth.
He stated that Pakistan’s exports to the European single market had increased by more than 108% over the past decade under the preferential tariff framework.
As Pakistan prepares for the next GSP+ cycle, Sheikh reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to meeting international conventions covering human rights, labour welfare, climate action and good governance.
Continued compliance with these requirements remains important for maintaining preferential access and strengthening Pakistan’s position in European markets.
FPCCI Seeks European Investment and Technology Partnerships
Sheikh said FPCCI aims to facilitate joint ventures and attract European direct investment across sectors with significant growth potential, including renewable energy, digital services, high-value textile manufacturing and agro-processing.
He emphasised the need to move beyond traditional buyer-seller relationships towards long-term partnerships focused on technology transfer, industrial development and value addition.
Greater investment and cooperation in these sectors could help Pakistan diversify its export base, improve productivity and strengthen its participation in international supply chains.
EU Ambassador Calls for Export Diversification and Better Compliance
EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis acknowledged FPCCI’s role in connecting policy initiatives with commercial implementation and reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to Pakistan’s sustainable economic development.
He described GSP+ as an effective driver of economic growth and encouraged Pakistani exporters to capitalise on opportunities beyond traditional textile exports.
The Ambassador highlighted value-added engineering, information technology services, leather and food products as areas where Pakistani businesses could expand their presence in European markets.
He also emphasised the importance of improving compliance with human rights and labour welfare conventions, underscoring the role of responsible business practices in sustaining international trade relationships.
FPCCI Highlights Industrial Competitiveness Challenges
FPCCI Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon highlighted the practical economic measures needed to help domestic industries benefit fully from trade agreements and withstand volatility in global supply chains.
He said Pakistan’s industrial sector had substantial untapped potential, but maintaining competitiveness in demanding European markets required targeted trade facilitation, regulatory harmonisation and lower domestic business costs.
Addressing these challenges would be important for helping exporters improve efficiency, meet international standards and compete more effectively with suppliers from other countries.
Pak-EU Business Forum to Strengthen Business-to-Business Links
Zubair Baweja, Head of FPCCI’s Pak-EU Business Forum, outlined efforts to develop sustainable business-to-business (B2B) connections between Pakistani exporters and European buyers.
He said the establishment of the forum reflected FPCCI’s commitment to creating practical commercial links that could support new partnerships and expand market access.
Stronger B2B engagement could help businesses identify investment opportunities, establish long-term supply relationships and explore emerging demand across European markets.
Next GSP+ Cycle Presents Opportunities for Pakistan
The discussions highlighted the importance of trade diversification, European investment and compliance with international conventions as Pakistan prepares for the next GSP+ cycle.
While preferential market access has supported export growth, expanding beyond traditional sectors and addressing domestic competitiveness challenges will be essential to securing further opportunities.
Closer cooperation between FPCCI, European institutions and the private sector could help translate trade access into investment, technology transfer and broader industrial development.