KARACHI: Turkish Consul General Cemal Sangu on Wednesday advised the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) to look into the possibility of organizing a Single Country Exhibition in Istanbul to boost Pakistan’s exports to Turkiye.
While exchanging views with Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials during his visit here, the Turkish diplomat said that after a successful Pakistan’s Single Country Exhibition in Istanbul, Turkiye, a similar exhibition could also be held in Karachi.
He said Turkiye and Pakistan were big markets for each other, and the existing investment and trade relations between the two countries must be further advanced.
He emphasized that Turkiye attached particular importance to Pakistan, and both nations had been enjoying solid cultural, trade, and religious ties.
Despite religious, cultural, and linguistic similarities between the two countries, the diplomat believed that bilateral trade remained low despite excellent relations and supporting each other at many global forums.
He added that considering both countries’ huge populations, Pakistan and Turkiye could achieve many things together.
Cemal Sangu noted that the tourism sector of Pakistan offered many opportunities, which also needed to be effectively promoted so that Turkish tourists could take an interest in the region.
Pakistan-Turkiye Joint Ventures
He said that Pakistan, the largest motorbike producer, could export the bikes to Turkiye. At the same time, Pakistani and Turkish firms could undertake a joint venture in Pakistan for manufacturing motorbikes, their tyres, and their export to Turkiye and other nations.
Mohammed Tariq Yousuf, President of KCCI, said bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkiye were based on brotherhood and close friendship since 1954.
He commended Turkiye’s important role in helping Pakistan to secure GSP-plus status and supporting its exclusion from FATF’s grey list.
Yousuf noted that despite huge trade potential between the two nations, Pakistan’s exports to Turkiye from July 2022 to April 2023 were 270 million dollars compared to 268 million dollars during the same period of last year.
He said that both nations were desirous of having a Free Trade Agreement, which, if materialized, could increase bilateral trade volume beyond 5 billion dollars and further integrate both economies.
