23 December 2013
Despite all efforts of European textile organizations, and the support of 182 MEPs, the European Parliament in Plenary Session rejected by 409 votes on 623 the Resolution against the Commission (single) Delegated Regulation establishing the Annex III containing the list of 11 Countries that will benefit of GSP+ as from next year (including Pakistan), while the resolution would have allowed to make a judgment on a case by case country basis, and thus to exclude Pakistan of the GSP+ scheme due to its poor record on application of International Conventions.
The result of this final vote at the European parliament level means that Pakistan will be allowed to export everything to the EU at zero duty as from 1st January 2014. Due to the poor diversification of Pakistani trade, it is clear that textiles and clothing from Pakistan will be the main sector, and by far, to benefit.