ANKARA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the business community of Pakistan and Turkey to increase bilateral trade between the two countries to the $5 billion mark within the next three years.
“The $1.1 billion trade is nothing… Let us resolve to take the two-way trade to $5 billion… Let us do it speedily. The time and tide wait for none,” the prime minister said addressing a reception hosted by the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Riffat Hisarciklioglu.
The prime minister, along with a high-level delegation, is on his maiden visit to Turkey, since he assumed office on April 11.
A large number of businessmen from Turkey Pakistan Business Forum, Turkish and Pakistani investors, and officials from the Boards of Investment of Turkey and Pakistani attended the event.
The prime minister said the government had done away with all the impediments to the business sector and urged the Turkish investors to invest their capital in multiple sectors like agriculture, IT, dairy, textile, and many other fields.
“My investors are my masters. Come to Pakistan. We will genuinely roll out the red carpet for them,” the prime minister remarked.
The prime minister also assured the Turkish investors that they would face no hurdles in their future ventures in Pakistan, as they had been doing over the last four years.
He said under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey had achieved tremendous progress with its companies executing gigantic projects in multiple fields including dams and infrastructure building across the globe.
The prime minister said the two countries enjoyed fraternal relations, dating back centuries. He also thanked the Turkish people and the leadership for supporting Pakistan during the earthquake and floods, besides showing its unwavering support for the Kashmir cause.
The prime minister said unfortunately the historic friendship did not reflect in the bilateral trade which currently stood at $1.1 billion.
He also mentioned the contribution of the Turkish companies in Pakistan in the field of solid waste management and their keen interest in solar energy projects.
Referring to the recent launch of third PN MILGEM corvette for Pakistan Navy PNS BADR, the prime minister also called for deepening the bilateral defense ties, calling the enemy of Turkey an enemy of Pakistan.
He urged the businessmen from both sides to have “heart to heart” talks for promoting bilateral trade and investment.
Regarding some issues faced by the Turkish businessmen with visas, the prime minister assured to work out an option of visa-on-arrival for Turkish investors. “I guarantee you. The visa will not be an issue. You should come there and get stamped at the airport.”
