Pakistan Textile: Threat looms over GSP+ status – By Insight Research
Jan 8 2025
Insight Securities
- Pakistan’s export landscape could face significant uncertainty as EU raises serious concerns over unfair trials of civilians in military courts, citing violations of international commitments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These developments threaten Pakistan’s GSP+ status, a critical trade privilege providing duty-free access to EU markets. Losing this status could severely impact export competitiveness, particularly in key sectors like textiles and footwear.
- Adding to the complexity, the European Parliament’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in 2024, now requires firms and their supply chain partners to address adverse human rights and environmental impacts, such as child labor, labor exploitation, and biodiversity loss. Germany, one of Pakistan's major trade partners, has already implemented mandatory human rights due diligence laws, further intensifying compliance pressures.
- Moreover, developed economies are now incorporating carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, including methane (CH4), as a regulatory cost to address climate change. ESG compliance has become a central focus, with CO2 emissions emerging as a key concern for policymakers and businesses. European companies face strict penalties of 4-10% of turnover for non-compliance, creating strong incentives to ensure adherence. To sustain trade privileges and remain competitive in EU markets, Pakistan’s government and business community must urgently realign their policies and practices, ensuring strict adherence to evolving international obligations.