KARACHI (Special Correspondent) – The EU Ambassador visits FPCCI to strengthen Pakistan trade and GSP+ cooperation as the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) hosted H.E. Mr. Raimundas Karoblis, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, at its head office in Karachi on 19 October 2026. The high-level meeting focused on expanding trade horizons, reinforcing industrial linkages, and preparing the private sector for the upcoming cycle of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+).

Key Points

• The European Union is an essential trading partner with GSP+ helping expand Pakistan’s exports by over 108 percent in a decade.
• FPCCI aims to facilitate joint ventures in renewable energy, digital services, high-value textiles, and agro-processing sectors.
• EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis urged Pakistani exporters to diversify beyond traditional textiles into engineering, IT, leather, and food sectors.
• The visit emphasized the necessity of continued compliance with international human rights, labor welfare, and climate action conventions.

Strategic Economic Cooperation

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the FPCCI, underscored that the European Union remains an indispensable commercial ally. He highlighted that the preferential market access provided under the GSP+ framework acts as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s national economic stability. As the nation prepares for the next regulatory cycle, he reaffirmed that local industrial sectors remain committed to meeting international standards regarding good governance and sustainability.

The discussion explored avenues for shifting from traditional buyer-seller models toward long-term technology transfer partnerships. Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh noted that the apex trade body is actively working to invite European direct investment across high-yield domestic sectors. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to improve the national economy, similar to how Punjab Expects Rs1,995 Billion in Industrial Investment as reported in recent regional development updates.

Building Sustainable B2B Linkages

H.E. Mr. Raimundas Karoblis acknowledged the pivotal role FPCCI plays in implementing commercial policies. He stressed that while GSP+ serves as an effective engine for growth, local industries must prioritize enhanced compliance with labor welfare and human rights conventions to maintain market access. Furthermore, he encouraged stakeholders to diversify their export portfolios to include value-added engineering and digital services.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, addressed the need for systemic interventions to help the local industry withstand global supply chain volatility. He argued that competitiveness requires regulatory harmonization and a reduction in the domestic cost of doing business. Mr. Zubair Baweja, Head of the FPCCI Pak-EU Business Forum, outlined new mechanisms designed to build actionable bridges between European buyers and Pakistani exporters, fostering deeper bilateral trade relations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the GSP+ status for Pakistan?

The GSP+ status provides preferential market access to the European Union, which has enabled Pakistan’s exports to expand by over 108 percent over the past decade.

What sectors does FPCCI aim to target for new joint ventures?

FPCCI is targeting high-potential sectors including renewable energy, digital services, high-value textile manufacturing, and agro-processing for future European direct investment.