GSP Plus & EU Market: Export Potential of Balochistan-Pakistan

The study provides an overview of Pakistan's trade relations with EU countries as well as trade benefits for Balochistan-Pakistan's largest and least developed province. GSP+ status was granted by the EU to Pakistan in 2014 with the aim to promote human rights. sustainable development, and good governance through trade. After attaining the GSP+ status in 2014, the exports of Pakistan to the EU have augmented by more than 100% and have increased by 42.6% in 2022 as compared with 2021. Pakistan, along with other Asian countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India, exports textiles and other goods to the EU markets while importing heavy machinery and other high-value items from the EU. Keeping Pakistan’s trade trends in view, unfortunately, little to no attention is given to other sectors including agriculture. This research study has attempted to identify the unrealized trade potential of Balochistan with respect to its trade with EU member states. Interestingly, Olives from Balochistan have great potential to be exported to the EU. Seafood from the country as well as the province is also being exported to Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK. Balochistan, being one of the mineral-rich provinces with a vast track record of arable land, has the potential to benefit from the status with respect to agriculture goods, livestock products, and mineral resources to EU markets without any duties. This research suggests that Balochistan has not quite benefited from GSP+ status as compared with its existing potential in the fields of agriculture, livestock, and mining, and proposes a way forward. The government needs to work on devising policies in compliance with EU requirements to explore trade avenues with EU member states.