Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that there is special bond between Pakistan and Turkey, stating that both countries share a joint destiny. While addressing the Pakistan-Turkey Business Opportunity Forum 2015, Prime Minister said that words cannot do justice to the special bond between Turkey and Pakistan; they are tied together by their common faith and culture and they share a distinct sense of a joint destiny.
The gathering was attended by visiting Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) Dr Miftah Ismail. Around 15 Turkish private companies are the Turkish Prime Minister; and they held a Business-to-Business meeting at the ''Pakistan Turkey Business Forum 2015''.
The premier also commended the business forum for its work to enhance socio-economic development in both Pakistan and Turkey. "I welcome Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and am confident this initiative will create new avenues for trade between Pakistan and Turkey as well as help in the economic growth of both countries," Nawaz Sharif said.
He recalled that both countries struggled and made great sacrifices for democracy and it was a proud moment that two democratically elected governments were working to enhance economic ties.
"The premier also addressed the security situation in Pakistan and stated that the country was facing difficult times, but would emerge stronger. "I am aware our country is facing huge challenges. Though it will be difficult to meet them, but I am confident victory will be ours," he said.
The prime minister also credited Ministry of Finance for helping in stabilising the economy and putting it on the path to recovery. "Our economy has started to bounce back within the first twenty months of our government. The Pakistani rupee has not only stabilised but improved and stock markets are breaking records daily," Nawaz Shairf said.
He further said that efforts were being made to overcome the energy shortage in the country, which he stated would help boost investor confidence.
"We are working harder to overcome gas shortage. The public and private sector are working in extracting coal and natural gas for energy supply to electricity plants," he said. "Energy projects are also in the process of building, which we want to complete by 2017," the prime minister said
The Finance Minister asked the Turkish investors to avail the incentives offered to foreign investors by setting up industrial units in special economic zones in Pakistan.
Addressing Pakistan-Turkish Business Forum here, he said the government has planned to auction two licenses for 3G and 4G and the Turkish companies may participate in the upcoming auction.
Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan has urged Turkish investors to invest in trade, energy, infrastructure, transportation, food and agriculture sectors.
He said that Pakistan has an enormous potential for Turkish investors to explore. He said that special economic zones have been established to facilitate foreign investors.
Khurram Dastagir said that Pakistan and Turkey have agreed on Free Trade Agreement to enhance bilateral trade. He said that Turkey is among Pakistan''s biggest partners. He said that Pakistan wants to further enhance their trade-volume manifold.
The minister said due to the government''s liberal and robust economic policies and reforms agenda, the economic indicators have shown improvement. He said that provision of employment has always remained the center point of PML-N''s government''s economic policies. Earlier, Chairman BoI Dr Miftah Ismail gave a quick overview of the economy of Pakistan. He said Pakistan has huge natural resources with deposits of gold, copper and, coal. Giving profile of demography of Pakistan, he added that majority of population is young and Pakistan economic indicators are improving due to good governance.