Pakistan eyes greater EU market access, export growth

August 21, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan has stepped up efforts to strengthen its trade and economic engagement with friendly countries, particularly the European Union (EU), with a focus on improving market access, export performance and coordination among relevant stakeholders.

The matter was discussed at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday, where measures to accelerate trade and economic partnerships were reviewed.

Ishaq Dar stressed the need for effective follow-up on commitments and conventions under the GSP+ framework, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts and timely implementation of agreed measures to maximize the benefits of market access.

He directed the concerned authorities to prioritize initiatives aimed at enhancing Pakistan's trade and export performance and strengthening coordination to unlock greater economic opportunities for the country, according to media reports.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Commerce, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, the federal secretaries of Commerce and Interior, Pakistan's Ambassador to Brussels, the Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), and senior federal and provincial officials from relevant ministries and departments.

The updated GSP framework is set to apply from January 1, 2027, making Pakistan's effective implementation and follow-up on GSP+ commitments particularly important as the country seeks to maintain preferential access to the European market.

The revised scheme also includes an automatic safeguard mechanism for rice imports to protect EU producers from potential market disruption.

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