Turkish businessmen are ready to initiate joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts as they are convinced that ample opportunities exist in a number of sectors in Pakistan including Energy, Textiles and Construction.
This was stated by President Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) Dr Akkan Suver and President Turkish Industrial Association TUMSIAD Mr. Ersin CENTIN while talking to a 37-member LCCI delegation headed by LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh. The LCCI former Senior Vice Presidents Engineer Sohail Lashari and Tahir Javaid Malik also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Akkan said that the foremost purpose of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEİK) is to pave the way for economic, commercial, industrial and financial relations with foreign countries as well as international business communities.
“DEİK believes that increasing industrial cooperation, widening the foreign trade network and opening the Turkish service sector up to the global economy are essential in achieving this target.”
The President Foreign Economic Relations Board said that Turkey for being second fastest growing economy of the world after China and first in the European Union has a lot to offer to their Pakistani counterparts and they should avail the available opportunities.
They also called for more frequent exchange of business delegations so that both the sides could have first hand knowledge of the available opportunities in Pakistan and Turkey. They said that both the countries have marvelous untapped business potential that needs to be realized by maximizing the involvement of private sectors of the two countries. He hoped that the economic relation between the two countries would strengthen further to create a win-win situation for Pakistan and Turkey.
Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said the time has come that the businessmen of both the countries should enhance their bilateral relations which will be beneficial for the people of both the countries. He said that in 1980 the Turkish exports were $ 4 billion while Pakistan’s were $3.81 billion and today Turkey is exporting goods worth $114 billion while Pakistan’s total exports are just $25 billion and Turkey has become 16th strongest economy of the world. He said, “We can strengthen our economy by adopting the development and progress of Turkey as model.”
“Since energy is an important issue for Pakistan’s economic growth and Turkey has vast experience of exploiting hydro and other energy sources, both the countries should cooperate in this area on priority basis.”
