South Asia Times

South Asia Times

Pakistan’s GSP+ Renewal Hinges on Rights Progress, Says Dutch Envoy

FAISALABAD: Pakistan has reapplied for the renewal of GSP+ status but it must show phenomenal progress on human rights, environment and social sectors under the already signed treaties, said Hajo Provo Kluit, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Addressing the business community in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that Netherlands is a significant trading partner of Pakistan. “It has tremendously benefited from the GSP plus programme”, he said and added that out of $8bn exports to the EU every year, $7bn is falls under the GSP plus regime. He said that Pakistan has come up for its renewal but it is directly linked with the multiple treaties already signed by Pakistan.

About the Paris Accord, he said that we have to invest in mitigating and adapting to climate change and reducing our carbon footprints in our businesses. Regarding the dairy sector, he said that cows in the Netherlands give 40 litres of milk per day which is collected by small cooperatives to form major multinational organizations. He said that Pakistan could benefit from Dutch technology in this field. He also assured to link small IT exporters from Pakistan with concerned companies in the Netherlands.

Also See: Tax Reforms in Pakistan: Digitization and Revenue Leakages

Earlier President FCCI Rehan Naseem Bharara welcomed the guest and said that our two nations share a rich history of diplomatic and economic cooperation. He said that the Netherlands stands as a significant trading partner for Pakistan within the EU. “In 2023 Pakistan’s export to Netherlands reached approximately $1.8bn with textile as major exports,” he said and added that Dutch investment has been pivotal in sectors such as agriculture, water management, dairy and renewable energy.

Waheed Khaliq Ramay, Dr Habib Aslam Gaba, Nadeem Iqbal, Muhmamad Ali and other members took part in the question-answer session. Later Senior Vice President Qaisar Shams Gucha offered vote of thanks while President Rehan Naseem Bharara presented FCCI shield to Hajo Provo Kluit, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This news is sourced from Business Recorder and is intended for informational purposes only.

Bulletin

Your trusted source for insightful journalism. Stay informed with our compelling coverage of global affairs, business, technology, and more.

Bulletin

Your trusted source for insightful journalism. Stay informed with our compelling coverage of global affairs, business, technology, and more.

Recent

Pakistani leadership meeting Gulf and Middle Eastern officials during high-level diplomatic engagement, reflecting Pakistan’s role in regional mediation and multi-vector foreign policy in the Iran–US crisis

Better Call Pakistan: The Rise of Middle power in a Changing World Order

Haiqa Shah April 3, 2026

Pakistan’s neutrality in the US-Israel War against Iran highlights its rise as a middle power, leveraging diplomacy, mediation, and multi-vector foreign policy to shape regional stability in a changing global order.

Prioritizing Dialogue in the Midst of Conflict

Dialogue Over Destruction: Islamabad’s Calculus

Usama Qazafi April 3, 2026

At a time when rhetoric is hardening and battle lines appear to be forming across the Middle East, Pakistan’s decision to step forward as a

Armed drone carrying explosives over mountainous terrain in Pakistan, illustrating TTP’s adoption of drone warfare and evolving militant tactics

The TTP’s Leap into Drone Warfare

Faiza Abid April 1, 2026

The TTP’s attempted drone incursion into Islamabad signals a dangerous shift in Pakistan’s security environment, reflecting the global rise of unmanned warfare and evolving militant tactics.

Pakistan-Afghanistan border buffer zone concept illustration showing security fencing, Pakistani soldier on patrol, and militant silhouettes across rugged terrain highlighting counterterrorism strategy along the frontier

Ghazab Lil Haq: Strategic Operationalization of the Pak-Afghan Buffer zone, Legality Under International Law, and the Role of IMCTC

Syed Abdullah Anwer March 31, 2026

Explore the strategic proposal for a Pak-Afghan buffer zone to counter border threats. This feature examines international law justifications and the IMCTC’s role in regional security

AI Image depicting US and Israel framing Iran as a threat, featuring military assets, missiles, and a divided Middle East map highlighting regional geopolitical tensions

The Myth of Iranian Threat

Suffian Zafar March 28, 2026

Analyze how the perception of Iran as a regional menace is a strategically constructed narrative by the US and Israel. Explore the impact of the US security architecture in the Gulf, the collapse of the JCPOA nuclear framework, and how these policies foster enduring instability and militarization in the Middle East.