Erdogan assures PM of investment boost

Shehbaz, Turkey’s president reaffirm resolve to upgrade bilateral ties to new heights

ANKARA:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed their pledge on Wednesday to upgrade the excellent bilateral ties to new heights by infusing new vigour to two-way cooperation in diverse fields.

Addressing a joint press stakeout, the two leaders said they had a “very productive” meeting and agreed to further improve their relations in the fields of tourism, education, logistics, civil aviation and communication.
Shehbaz met Erdogan on the second day of his three-day official visit to Turkey. During the visit, the prime minister also addressed the Turkey-Pakistan Business Forum and held separate meetings with leading Turkish businessmen.

At the joint news conference, Shehbaz said he held very productive talks with President Erdogan and voiced hope that under the dynamic leadership of Turkish president, the bilateral ties would scale new heights.

Live 🔴: Pakistan-Turkey MoU signing ceremony. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan witnesses the ceremony. #PMShehbazInTürkiyehttps://t.co/f5Ec0B2Nul

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 1, 2022

He announced that a strong business delegation from Turkey would visit Pakistan later this month. “The visit … will provide further impetus to the trade and investment cooperation,” Shehbaz said, reiterating his resolve to make the visit result-oriented.

He also welcomed President Erdogan’s announcement of holding the next session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) – a primary platform at the leadership-level – in Islamabad in the month of September.

Shehbaz said that the two nations had always stood by each other in testing times and on issues of their core interests. “Pakistan and Turkey are partners of all times. Many challenges faced by the two nations are same,” the prime minister stated.

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

He referred to the recent launch of PNS BADR, MILGEM corvette – jointly constructed by Pakistan and Turkey – as “an example of our wonderful collaboration”. Erdogan, on the occasion, stressed that Pakistan and Turkey had strong cooperation in defence sector.

“Turkey is ready to further enhance its bilateral relations with brotherly country Pakistan,” the president said. He added that a strategic economic framework agreement was signed between the two countries to enhance the bilateral trade.

He said trade volume between Turkey and Pakistan has exceeded the figure of $1 billion, which is the highest since 2010. The president encouraged the Turkish business people to invest in Pakistan.

Welcome ceremony for Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at Turkish Presidential Complex

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warmly receives PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
🇵🇰 🇹🇷

(1/2)#APPNews #PMShehbazInTurkey @CMShehbaz @PakPMO @Marriyum_A @PakinTurkey @MFATurkiye @RTErdogan pic.twitter.com/fHdI4DnlgF

— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) June 1, 2022

“Pakistan and Turkey are working to further improve their relations in the fields of tourism, education, logistics, civil aviation and communication,” he said. “Turkey supports Pakistan in its efforts against terrorism.”

Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s support for the resolution of the Kashmir issue as per resolutions of the United Nations. Shehbaz appreciated Turkey’s steadfast support on the Kashmir dispute. He said Indian actions are posing threat to regional peace and stability.

He said Pakistan and Turkey’s partnership is for perpetual good. “We have worked together to promote shared objective of peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He assured Turkey of Pakistan’s full support on its core issues.

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

Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to Turkey over Northern Cyprus and resolved that Pakistan stood with Turkey in its fight against terrorism and terrorist groups like the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party]. “Enemies of Turkey are the enemies of Pakistan,” he added.

Earlier, the two leaders witnessed the signing of various agreements and memorandums of understanding for enhanced cooperation in diverse areas of mutual interests.

Earlier, President Erdogan warmly received Prime Minister Shehbaz upon his arrival at the Presidential Complex. On the occasion, both the leaders were introduced to the delegations of the two countries.

انقرہ، صدارتی محل میں وزیرِ اعظم پاکستان شہبازشریف اور ترک صدر رجب طیب اردگان کے درمیان ملاقات۔

⁦#PMShehbazInTürkiye⁩
⁦#PakTürkiye_Friendship_Zindabad⁩
⁧#پاک_ترک_دوستی_زندہ_باد pic.twitter.com/TtzVBnb74Z

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 1, 2022

 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accompanied by the Pakistani delegation visited Anitkabir, Mausoleum of Mustafa Kamal Atatürk in Ankara, Turley earlier today.

#PMShehbazInTuerkiye #PakTuerkiye_Friendship_Zindabad #پاک_ترک_دوستی_زندہ_باد pic.twitter.com/QOueQAcb8l

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) June 1, 2022

 

Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, pays his respects and places a wreath at the Anitkabir (Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk).#PMShehbazInTuerkiye #PakTuerkiye_Friendship_Zindabad #پاک_ترک_دوستی_زندہ_باد pic.twitter.com/vGQDzEKCq3

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) June 1, 2022

 

President of Turkey gives a warm welcome to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He was also given a guard of honour upon arrival.
#PMShehbazInTuerkiye #PakTuerkiye_Friendship_Zindabad #پاک_ترک_دوستی_زندہ_باد pic.twitter.com/5lRzmNnrxc

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) June 1, 2022

Business forum

During the Turkey visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz attended the Pakistan-Turkey Business Council organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK). Addressing the forum, Shehbaz invited the Turkish investors to explore Pakistan’s diverse sectors.

“Pakistan’s energy sector with its vast potential in hydel, thermal, coal, wind, and solar areas can prove ideal for the Turkish investors,” Shehbaz told the leading businessmen and investors from Turkey and Pakistan.
“Given the growing energy needs and high global energy prices, Pakistan direly needs improvement in its energy sector. Pakistan could benefit from Turkey’s expertise in building and managing dams for water conservation,” he added.

“A number of leading Turkish investors have already made investments in Pakistan,” Shehbaz said, emphasising that the Turkish investment in Pakistan would be a win-win situation for both the countries.
Giving an overview of the economic and investment opportunities in Pakistan, the prime minister highlighted his focus on energy, housing, textiles, infrastructure development, agro-based industry, and oil and gas sectors.

He also emphasised that Turkish textile companies could explore the sector for joint ventures, especially for intra-industry trade as well as becoming partners in regional and global value chains. He also invited the Turkish firms relating to the agro-industrial and dairy sectors.

At the onset, DEIK President Nail Olpak and Chair of Turkish-Pakistan Business Council Ahmet Cengiz Ozdemir introduced the participating companies and briefed the prime minister about Turkish investments in Pakistan.

Shehbaz also held a separate meetings with Turkish investors. He said that unfortunately, a conspiracy was hatched to discourage the investment in Pakistan. However, he added that his government’s priority was to facilitate all the investors by addressing their issues.

The delegation expressedkeen interest in the projects in the energy and the construction sectors. A Turkish firm, Siyahkalem, headed by Cengiz Ozdemir, expressed confidence in the measures taken by his government to encourage foreign investment in Pakistan.

The delegations included Arcelic Chief Commercial Officer Can Dincer, Chief Executive Officer of Zorlu Energy, Albayrak President Ahmed Albayrak and Hayat Kimya Vice President Ali Zaybuk. They conveyed their interest in enhancing the volume of investment in Pakistan.

Earlier, the prime minister visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, and laid a wreath there. The prime minister observed a minute of silence to pay respect to the great Turkish leader.