Pak-Turk Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) will be implemented very soon and five years multiple business visas will be granted to Pakistani Businessmen. During the last three years the bilateral trade was boosted. This was stated by Ambassador of Turkey Babur Hizlan.
He was talking during a meeting with the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & industry (FCCI) office bearers and Business Community, wherein a large number of exporters and industrialist were also present at the moment. He further mentioned that Turkey and Pakistan has cordial and brotherly relation since a long time.
"Turkish people has always respect for their Pakistani counterparts. The leadership of both countries has passion to develop the bilateral trade relations; both the countries always help each other". He said that due to bad infrastructure and transportation system bilateral trade is bellow than available potential, in this regard, negotiation is in process to start rail service. The trade in local currencies is beneficial and will also be started soon. The Turkish Airline is also to start working its operation from Lahore.
Turkey will also start the projects of solid waste management and Metro bus service in Faisalabad very soon. The Turkish companies are also working in the energy sector of Pakistan, in this regard a 50MW wind power project recently started in Sindh province and some more investment will also be made in this sector.
Earlier, in his welcome address President FCCI Muzammil Sultan said that Faisalabad has been contributing about 40 per cent of the total textile exports of the country during the last many years. There is tremendous trade potential between the two countries. He said Pakistan and Turkey have always enjoyed extremely cordial and friendly relations. The presently visit of mayor of Istanbul Dr Qadir Tobpash proved a mile stone in the development of correlations, he added.
During flood disaster, Turkey's donations to Pakistan exceeded $51 million. Turkish people have also donated $135 million for the flood victims. It is pertinent to mention that, during our prime ministers meeting in Seoul Turkish Prime minister also urge to invest in energy and telecom sectors of Pakistan. Honorary Consul General of Turkey for Faisalabad Mian Altaf Saleem also suggested some points to boost the bilateral trade. During question answer session former vice president FCCI Shabir Hussain Chawla, Malik M Arshad, Chaudhry M. Asghar, Dr Habib Aslam Gaba and Chaudhry Jameel Ahmad, also highlighted the issues before the Ambassador.