Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz stressing the need for enhancing trade and investment between Pakistan and Turkey, said that the links between the private sectors of the two countries should be further strengthened.
The Prime Minister was talking to a delegation of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce here at the Prime Minister House on Monday. Shaukat Aziz said the feelings of love and brotherhood between the two countries should be converted into trade and investment.
The PM said that the reforms introduced by Pakistan during the last six years had produced significant results. The economy had stabilised, markets were growing, per capita income had increased and the emergence of a flourishing middle class had given boost to trade and industry. He said the consistency and continuity of the policies had given confidence to investors.
Shaukat Aziz said that last year Pakistan had the second highest growth rate in Asia and investment was all time high. The country had never seen as much investment as in the last three years, he added. Foreign exchange reserves had substantially increased and revenue collection and exports were showing rising trends.
The government had taken tangible steps to encourage the private sector, he said adding that Pakistan was now moving up the value added chain.
The Prime Minister said engineering and automobile industry was among the main focussed areas and several new tractor plants were coming up. He said services sector was growing rapidly, particularly the financial services, private sector media and information technology industry. He said Pakistan had great potential in tourism, construction and real estate.
The Prime Minister thanked the people and government of Turkey for their generous help in rehabilitation of the earthquake affected areas.
Dr Resul Izmiril, the leader of the delegation, expressed sympathy with the government and people of Pakistan over the loss of life and property as a result of the earthquake.
He said the Turkish businessmen were encouraged by the investment friendly polices and enabling environment for business community in Pakistan.
Dr Izmiril said the Turkish businessmen were interested in joint ventures between the private sectors of the two countries.
The Turkish delegation is in Pakistan on a fact-finding mission and is exploring avenues of co-operation between the private sectors of the two countries.