Turkey has shown a keen desire to increase bilateral trade with Pakistan to at least five billion dollars within the next two to three years.
While talking to a delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Islamabad, Turkeys ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Mehmet Pacaci said the two sides have good potential to further boost two-way trade volume in several items.
The envoy offered to form a committee, including representatives of all stakeholders from both sides, to discuss all possible options and modalities for trade promotion between both countries through railways and road links.
He further said that the Pakistani business community should keenly participate in the MUSIAD Expo, which is scheduled to be held in Istanbul from November 2 to 5 to increase business ties with Turkish counterparts and discover new ways to advance bilateral trade between both nations.
Turkey and Pakistan could boost bilateral cooperation in different fields including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery & parts, tourism, and agriculture, the envoy said.
Pacaci added that he could support the Pakistani business community in customs affairs for doing trade with Turkey.
In addition, he was confident that a free trade agreement between the two countries would be finalized soon after its approval from the parliament of Turkey which would be beneficial in increasing the volume of trade between the two countries.
Moreover, the President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Shakeel Munir also spoke at the occasion and stated that Pakistan and Turkey have exemplary friendly relations that should be transformed into growing trade and economic relations between both countries.
He laid emphasis that the frequency of the train service between Pakistan and Tehran and Istanbul should be enhanced to promote trade. At present, it takes 45 days for goods from Turkey to arrive in Pakistan through third parties, which is challenging for both importers and exporters.
He said that Pakistan has sufficient supplies of granite, marble, and other natural resources, advising Turkey to consider joint ventures in these fields there for the benefit of both parties.