Turkish Investors show keen on investing in SEZs under CPEC: Turkish Ambassador

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul said on Friday that the cordial relations between Turkey and Pakistan should now be transformed into strong trade and economic ties.

Talking to a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its President Muhammad Ahmed Waheed, Yurdakul said that Turkish companies were keen to sign joint ventures (JVs) with their Pakistani counterparts in various areas of its economy.

“The Turkish investors are interested in Pakistan’s special economic zones, which would be built under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework,” he said. “A delegation of Turkish businessman could be invited to Pakistan to study business opportunities in SEZs.”

The envoy believed that both countries have immense potential to complement each other in terms of bilateral trade. “But for this to happen, better connectivity between the private sectors of both countries is needed.”

He assured that the Turkish Embassy would cooperate in efforts aimed towards the promotion of direct linkages between the business communities of the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Muhammad Ahmed Waheed said that Pakistan and Turkey have been negotiating a free trade agreement, adding that many rounds have already been held in this regard.

He said that during the upcoming visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan, both countries should sign the FTA that would give a much-needed boost to the trade relations between Pakistan and Turkey.

He welcomed the proposal of Turkish ambassador for the visit of Turkish business delegation to Pakistan and assured that ICCI would cooperate in connecting them with the right partners.

He pointed out that due to lack of direct air links, Pakistan does not have better connectivity with Central Asian countries, which were growing markets for Pakistani products.

“Turkish Airline should play role in connecting Pakistan with these countries by organizing once a week flight from Pakistan to these countries,” he urged. “The ICCI is ready to cooperate with both governments in realising this objective.”