LAHORE: Trade and economic relations between Turkey and Pakistan should be stronger and private sectors of the two countries can play a vital role in this regard.
These views were expressed by Konya Governor Cuneyt Orhan while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmed and Executive Committee Members also spoke on the occasion.
Orhan said that Turkish businessmen are keen to step into joint ventures with their Pakistan counterparts in various fields, adding that both countries should enhance cooperation in trade, industry and tourism.
He said that Turkish people have deep love and respect for Allama Muhammad Iqbal and his teachings are a part of the lasting bonds between Turkey and Pakistan.
Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said that a ‘Governors of Muslim Countries Conference’ would be convened very soon and governors of all Muslim countries will be invited.
“We cannot grow until and unless we work hand in hand with the business community,” the governor said, adding that the business community is the backbone of the economy.
LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that Lahore and Konya are two historical cities and have a number of commonalities. “Konya has the reputation of being one of the more religiously fundamentalist metropolitan centres in Turkey.”
He said that Konya has a number of industrial parks and the city’s economy has evolved into a centre for the manufacturing of components for the automotive industry, agricultural tools, plastic, paint & chemical industry, paper & packing industry, processed foods, textiles and leather industry etc.
“There are several Special Economic Zones being built in Pakistan under CPEC and we would like to have industrial cooperation with Turkish businessmen in these areas. LCCI Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar said that mutual trade volume is $661 million which has a potential to touch $1 billion.
He said that joint ventures in pharmaceutical, furniture, surgical instruments and various other sectors can yield good results. Ali Hussam Asghar invited Turkish companies to invest in hardware and energy sectors of Pakistan which have a great potential for foreign direct investment.
He said that Turkish expertise in the textile machinery sector and transfer of technology can help strengthen Pakistani textile sector.
