Germany asks Pakistan to implement GSP Plus reforms

Germany has called for effective implementation of Pakistan’s legislative reforms linked to the European Union’s GSP Plus trade scheme, stressing the need for measurable results and tangible improvements as Islamabad prepares for its next application.

The development came during a meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel, who called on the Federal Minister for Commerce at his office on Tuesday. Rana Isaan Afzal, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries, Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, and senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce also attended the meeting and read a statement.

During the meeting, Jam Kamal appreciated Germany’s longstanding economic cooperation with Pakistan and its constructive role in relation to the European Union’s GSP Plus scheme. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fulfilling its international obligations and strengthening coordination among federal ministries and provincial governments.

Ambassador Lepel acknowledged Pakistan’s legislative progress and positive developments in areas relevant to GSP Plus, noting that these efforts reflected Pakistan’s commitment to reforms and stronger institutional mechanisms.

She emphasised the importance of translating legislative measures into effective implementation, measurable results and tangible improvements for citizens.

The envoy welcomed Pakistan’s structured approach towards the next GSP Plus application and encouraged continued coordination among relevant federal ministries, provincial governments and other stakeholders. She said sustained engagement, transparent reporting and timely follow-up would help maintain momentum and reinforce confidence among Pakistan’s international partners.

Ambassador Lepel also highlighted opportunities in agriculture, food processing, technology, manufacturing, renewable energy, and other areas, and encouraged stronger interaction between Pakistan’s and Germany’s private sectors.

During the meeting, Rana Isaan Afzal, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries, raised the issue of Pakistan’s Basmati rice Geographical Indication (GI) before the German Ambassador.

He briefed the envoy on Pakistan’s position on India’s GI application before the European Commission and Pakistan’s own application to protect Basmati rice. He highlighted the legal, historical and commercial grounds underpinning Pakistan’s case and stressed the importance of safeguarding the legitimate interests of Pakistani Basmati growers, producers and exporters.

Ambassador Lepel underscored the importance of protecting the interests of producers, farmers and exporters through appropriate legal and institutional mechanisms. She noted that effective protection of geographical indications could strengthen product recognition in international markets, support rural livelihoods and enhance the value of agricultural exports.

Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan invited the German Ambassador and German companies to participate in the upcoming FoodAg exhibition in Karachi in November 2026, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and investment in agricultural machinery, food processing, livestock breeding, animal nutrition, testing facilities and value addition.

The minister emphasised that collaboration with German companies could help Pakistan improve agricultural productivity, strengthen quality and export standards, and generate greater exportable surpluses.

He said FoodAg would provide a valuable platform for German businesses to directly engage with Pakistani companies, identify investment opportunities and develop partnerships across the agriculture and food value chains.

Ambassador Lepel welcomed the invitation and said German participation in FoodAg could help translate bilateral engagement into practical business and institutional cooperation. She highlighted opportunities in modern agricultural technology, quality assurance, vocational training, research and development, and sustainable production practices.

The German side also shared preparations for a delegation of Pakistani businesspeople to attend a major animal husbandry trade fair in Germany. Ambassador Lepel said such exchanges could facilitate knowledge transfer, strengthen commercial linkages and help identify new opportunities in livestock and related sectors.