Enhancing trade between Pakistan and Turkey: Turkish CG urges business community to play its role

The business community will have to play its due role to increase the bilateral traded between the two brotherly Muslim countries. This was stated by the Turkish Consul General in Karachi Fethi Etem while talking to the rice exporters during his visit to Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) House here on Tuesday.
The Consul General said that despite very close relations between Pakistan and Turkey the bilateral trade is very low. He said that the total trade volume of both the countries is around $750 million, which is much below the existing potential.
There are many opportunities available to promote the trade between Pakistan and Turkey. "We have very strong relations, we have trade agreements, we have daily direct flights from Karachi and Islamabad to Turkey and we have many other opportunities", he said and added that the business communities of both sides have to come forward to play their role for boosting bilateral trade.
He assured the Pakistani exporters of his full co-operation in this regard. The Consul General said that Pakistan and Turkey have historic and very strong relations. "We, the Turkish people believe that Pakistan is our first home and we arrive here we think we have reach in our own home", he said and added the role of the people of the sub-continent during Khilafat Tehrik will be remembered forever in Turkey.
He said that the people of the sub-continent played a very historic role during Khilafat Tehrik and proved they are best friends of Turkey. The Chairman Reap Abdul Rahim Janoo, on this occasion, briefed the Consul General about the rice trade in Pakistan. He said that Pakistani rice is being exported in almost all countries around the globe and its very popular in various international markets. He said that Pakistan has best rice mills of international standard. "We have also established a modern laboratory of international standard and our rice can now compete with other countries' varieties of this commodity", he said.
He said that the rice exported from Pakistan is initially examined by the Quality Review Committee before its shipment. This is the reason that there is no complains regarding quality of Pakistani rice from any international market. He said that Pakistan and Turkey are two brotherly countries having same religion, culture, heritage and many common values. However, he said the bilateral trade between the two countries is very low.
He requested the Consul General for his co-operation in this regard. He said Reap is ready to send its delegation to Turkey to promote rice trade there. A number of rice exporters attended the programme and discussed every issues with regard to rice trade between Pakistan and Turkey.