A $20 billion project is under way for direct railroad link between Pakistan and Turkey which will improve transit time of goods between the two countries from 14 to 10 days. The commercial cargo service needs fast tracks to minimise the transit time.
This was stated by Mustafa Babur Hizlan, Ambassador of Turkey, while addressing a meeting of members of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to discuss enhancement of bilateral trade links between Pakistan and Turkey, at Federation House on Thursday.
He informed the house that the proposed direct railroad project was discussed between the two governments during the recent visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Istanbul. He said as the commercial cargo service needed fast tracks, a huge amount of $20 billion would be needed to invest in the project. If the project is implemented with the required facilities, he said, it would improve transit time of goods between the two countries from 14 to 10 days.
The ambassador further highlighted that Turkey seeks interest in Pakistan's infrastructure development, mutual collaboration in transport projects and increasing frequency of shipping service between Pakistan and Turkey. He stressed on forming joint ventures in these sectors with Pakistan Private Sector to further increase economic ties with Pakistan, so that the volume of trade can be accelerated.
Having the second largest contractors across the world, more contractors from the country would come to Pakistan in future; he said, adding that "it is very difficult for competing China, having the largest contractors across the world, as it offers comparatively cheaper services."
Presenting the reasons of delay in the execution of wind turbines by Zorlu Energy, the Turkish company in Sindh, Fethi Etem, Consul General of Turkey in Karachi, said the turbines, installed here recently, were dysfunctional, for technical reasons. He said the mother company, providing machines from Germany has also economically collapsed, causing long delay in the execution of the project.
Inviting more investment in the power sector here, Engr M A Jabbar who is also member Sindh Public Private Partnership Policy Board, Government of Sindh, said almost 28 foreign parties/companies were given thousands of acres land each, totalling 33,000 acres, by the provincial government five years ago, through the Alternative Energy Board.
Each company was supposed to generate at least 50 MW each, but these companies have yet to build the basic facilities at the site, Jhimpir Air Corridor, District Thatta, he said. However, he said, Zorlu Energy, the only Turkish company out of the 28 firms, had installed four wind turbines having the electricity generating capacity of at least 1.2 megawatts each, but these turbines were also not supplying electricity to the national grid currently.
Amjad Rafi, Chairman Pakistan-Turkey Business Council of FPCCI said the limited seats in the Turkish airlines were needed to increase with introducing new and better aircraft. He emphasised that in order to further enhance trade relationship between Turkey and Pakistan through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), the governments of both the countries should now sign an FTA so that volume of trade could be increased having immense potential which can reach approximately $2 billion. Sultan Ahmad Chawla, President, FPCCI lauded Fethi Etem's efforts in promoting trade and cultural activities between two countries.
Muhammad Sadiq Sheikh, a member of FPCCI, also suggested the ambassador to facilitate Pakistani contractors of Fruit and vegetables, in Turkey. During the meeting, the Consul General also announced that Turkey would host Indus Valley Civilisation exhibition next month. Zakariya Usman, Vice Presidents FPCCI, Salih Demir Pazarci, MD, Pak-Turk Businessmen Association, Ali Karam, Regional Director Pak-Turk Int'l School and Colleges, Yutku Yazan, Country Manger, Turkish Airlines, Zubair Habib, MD, National Industrial Parks, Khurram Sayeed, EC Members of FPCCI and prominent businessmen also attended the meeting.
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