Minister of State (MOS)/Chairman Board of Investment (BOI), Saleem H. Mandviwalla, is currently visiting Turkey as a Special Envoy of the President on Thursday said that the transportation links between Turkey and Pakistan would be improved.
The visit is primarily aimed to exchange the views on ways and means to improve the economic and commercial interaction between the two countries, says a statement issued by the BOI here. It said that Chairman BOI also stressed to remove any impediments in bilateral trade and investment with the Turkish leadership.
During the meeting it was sought from both sides to make concerted efforts to meet the target of US$ 2 billion bilateral trade by 2012.
Mandviwalla brought to the attention of President Gul, underlined the need of urgently concluding a comprehensive Preferential Trade Arrangement between the two countries. The Turkish leadership is encouraging businessmen to further expand their investment ventures in Pakistan, especially in energy and infrastructure sectors, President Gul said.
In order to boost economic relations and people to people contact, the existing rail, road and air links shall be further improved. Mr. Mandviwalla discussed these proposals in a meeting with Turkish minister for Transport, Maritime affairs and Communications, Binali Yildirim.
It was agreed on the need on improving existing cargo train operations. Mr. Yildirim also suggested increasing the frequency of flights between the two countries. He said Pakistan is a brotherly country and there are many venues of collaboration in trade and investment. Mr. Mandviwalla showed his optimism that existing cargo train “Gul train” running on pilot basis between Pakistan and Turkey is a viable commercial venture. After increasing the frequency of this cargo train, both countries will commence passenger train, Mr. Mandviwalla informed.
Secretary Commerce Munir Qureshi, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Muhammad Haroon Shaukat and Consul General Istanbul Dr. Yusuf Junaid were also present in the meeting.
