Pakistan 'genuinely' wants to increase trade relations with Turkey: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stated that Pakistan ‘genuinely and sincerely’ wants to work with the Turkish business fraternity to promote bilateral ties and emphasised the need to tap into the enormous potential between the two countries.

The premier is currently on a three-day visit to Turkey and is accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Addressing the Turkey-Pakistan Business Council on Wednesday, he said that both countries had opportunities for cooperation in the textile industry and that a joint strategy would further boost the industry.

“We have been partners and have supported each other through thick and thin,” he said, adding that he had received "hundreds of businessmen" between 2008 and 2018.

The premier invited the Turkish business community to invest in Pakistan, vowing that the government would provide all facilities. He further invited Turkish investors to invest in Pakistan in the fields of alternative energy, the automobile industry and agriculture.

He also lauded the Turkish investment in solar park projects in Pakistan.

“Your active participation in investments in Pakistan is highly appreciated. And above all your participation in humanitarian projects in Pakistan is very well-known,” he stated.

Read PM urges businessmen to boost Pak-Turk trade to $5b

“Today, we are here to seriously engage ourselves with you because you are very serious-minded business people, and your achievements are outstanding and a shining example for all of us.”

He stated that Pakistan wanted to benefit from Turkish capabilities in diverse sectors as it had immense experience in the construction of dams, production of cheaper electricity and manufacturing vehicles.

The prime minister said that investments in Pakistan would lead to profit for their business community as well as the development of Pakistan.

"I am here today with my great team to convey this message to you in no uncertain terms, absolutely loud and clear, that we will welcome you with both arms to come and invest in Pakistan, promote trade," he said.

PM Shehbaz further urged the Turkish trade minister to sign a letter of intent in an effort to achieve bilateral trade of $5 billion in the upcoming two years, a feat the premier claimed was “difficult but not impossible”.

PM, Turkish FM discuss bilateral ties

A high-level Turkish delegation led by Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavusoglu called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Ankara.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other members of the Pakistani delegation were present for the meeting.

Both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and Turkey.

The meeting also discussed the promotion of cooperation in different sectors, particularly trade, investment, education, communication and culture.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)