Consul General of Turkey Fethi Etum visited Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, on Wednesday. Addressing the members of the Chamber, he said that Turkey and Pakistan enjoyed unique friendly relations. He expressed that Turkey would further improve economic and commercial relations with Pakistan.
He said that in 2003 the trade volume between Turkey and Pakistan was only 262 million dollars which increased to almost 1.0 billion dollars in 2010, out of which goods worth 750 million dollars were imported from Pakistan, whereas, imports of Pakistan from Turkey were 248 million dollars.
He reassured that Turkish government keenly desires to bring the trade volume between two countries to the level of $2.0 billion dollars. Regarding investment in Pakistan, the Council General expressed that during the past 3 years Turkish companies are investing in power sector, food processing, sea ports, construction and infra structure development.
He said that Zorlu Energy would be generating 50MW of electricity from wind energy in Jhimpir, District Thatta by investing 110 million dollars. This project would be further extended to generate 300MW by an additional investment of 500 millions dollars.
He further added that Turkish companies are committed to generate 20 percent of power demand in Pakistan. Fethi Etum said that UG Food Company (Pvt) Ltd, was investing in Karachi since 2008 and Alfapen company in joint venture with Pakistani company is preparing PVC windows and doors, he said in addition to that several other Turkish companies are investing in Pakistan.
He also mentioned that Karkey Karadeniz Electric A S has built two power ships, which are ready for power generation at Port Qasim, Karachi to meet the immediate need of Pakistan industry for electricity. In response to a point raised by HCCI regarding visa policy, the Consul General said that visa would be issued to the businessmen on recommendation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry with in one week.
President of HCCI Gohar Ullah in his welcome address, said that the today our business communities of Hyderabad Chamber feel that there is an immense opportunity for Pakistani goods in the Turkish markets, we hope that your visit will be helpful for business and industrial community of Hyderabad to export their manufactured goods to the Turkish markets and establish good relationship with Turkish businessmen for import from Turkey.
He said that the province of Sindh is rich in mining sector, especially coal in Thar District and Lakhra in Jamshoro and Dadu Districts of Sindh. The city of Hyderabad is also famous for its glass bangles with wide variety of colours and designs specially made for ladies and young girls. Hyderabad has also a large number of textile industries, garments, motorcycles, rickshaws and tractors. Hyderabad presently exports rice, cotton yarn, fruits and vegetables etc. This area is rich in traditional and non-traditional products having great potential for exporting the products such as handicrafts, hand knitted carpets, ready made garments, hosiery, embroidery, bed covers, bed sheets, yarn, leather products, wooden and brassware marble wares, ornamental tiles etc and motorcycles as well.
He further said if the Turkish Government/businessmen initiate launching projects of mutual interest in Hyderabad, particularly for establishment of agro- based industries, such as food processing industries, agricultural machinery etc in Hyderabad and there was also scope of mutual investment in power sector, construction industry, tourism and other related sectors etc. He added that the Hyderabad Chamber would appreciate if information pertaining to trade fairs and exhibition is forwarded to this Chamber so that mutual trade could be enhanced between two brotherly countries. In the meeting Vice President Ziauddin, Former President Haji Muhammad Yaqoob, Yousuf Suleman, Emad Siddiqui and Chairman Diplomatic Sub-Committee Saleem Shaikh and others were present.