Turkey attaches great importance to Pakistan and efforts are under way to enhance trade, according to Turkish Consulate General Commercial Attache Fuson Aktug.
In a meeting with the Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA), Aktug informed that bilateral trade was currently $1 billion, even though potential was there for the figure to rise to $2 billion.
She extended an invitation to PCDMA Chairman Muhammad Haroon Agar to send a delegation to Turkey in order to explore trade prospects and called on association members to play an active role in increasing trade with their Turkish counterparts.
Aktug underlined the importance of Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) freight train project between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. She also agreed to update the clearance system between banks of the two countries.
Agar, in his welcome address, emphasised the potential for greater bilateral trade, which is not reflected by present trade levels. Total exports to Turkey in 2009-10 stood at $503 million, while imports were recorded at $125 million.
During his visit to Pakistan, the Turkish prime minister had called for higher trade, which Agar believes can only be achieved through practical efforts from business communities. Agar underlined the need of developing the road and railway infrastructure between Pakistan and Turkey, through Iran, so freight may swiftly reach Turkey at economical rates.
He announced a high level PCDMA delegation will visit Turkey in May to meet their counterparts and hold business-to-business meetings.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 03rd, 2011.
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