Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkey: volume to cross $1 billion mark next year: diplomat

The commercial attaché, Consulate General of Turkey, Nail Ersoy, has said that the volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkey would cross one billion dollars mark next year. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Thursday, he underlined the need of frequent exchange of trade delegations for increasing bilateral trade between the two countries.
He said the trade between the two countries has recorded substantial increase in the last five years. However, this increase has slowed down during last year due to the global economic meltdown. He opined that bilateral trade potential was not properly exploited, adding that now it is the time to explore the enormous trade potential. He appreciated the joint ventures between business community of Pakistan & Turkey in trade and industrial sector.
He informed that a trade delegation would visit Pakistan in December this year to identify the products for trade and explore investment opportunities. He said Turkey was interested in starting some Turkish airlines' flights between Karachi and Istanbul. However, he said, the plan could not be materialised as Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) did not granted permission.
Country Manager, Turkish Airline, Utku Yazan said that Turkey was making efforts since 2003 to get permission for starting flights to and from Lahore and increasing the number of flights to Karachi. The case is still pending with CAA, he added. President KCCI Abdul Majid Haji Mohammad assured Turkish Commercial Attaché that the chamber would take up issue with CAA. He emphasised the need of frequent exchange of information regarding trade and investment between the two countries.
President KCCI briefed the attaché about the strategic role of KCCI in promoting the trade & business activities at national and international levels. He stated that the business community of the country in general and Karachi in particular was very keen in promoting bilateral trade with Turkey. He called for enhancing export of value-added textile products to Turkey. KCCI president underlined the need of organising trade fairs and exhibitions in the two countries.