Key Points
- Türkiye assures support for increasing imports of Pakistani mangoes
- Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat agrees to send a delegation to Pakistan
- Jam Kamal Khan invites Turkish companies to invest in 1,000 acres earmarked for them at Karachi Industrial Park
ISLAMABAD: Türkiye has assured Pakistan full support to increase imports of Pakistani mangoes, signalling an opportunity to expand agricultural exports to the Turkish market.
At high-level talks in Istanbul, the two countries explored new avenues for commercial and trade cooperation.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Turkish Trade Minister Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat met on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul on Wednesday.
The two ministers discussed bilateral trade, agricultural exports and investment opportunities, reaffirming their commitment to expanding economic and commercial relations.
Jam Kamal Khan sought Türkiye’s support and facilitation for market access for Pakistani mangoes.
He highlighted his country’s agricultural export potential and the scope for increasing shipments to the Turkish market.
In response, Bolat assured his full support for increasing mango imports, acknowledging the potential to expand agricultural trade between the two countries.
The ministers also discussed Pakistan’s Basmati rice exports. Jam Kamal Khan appreciated Türkiye’s support for Islamabad’s legitimate claims on Basmati rice. He stressed the importance of continued cooperation to protect and promote the premium agricultural product in international markets.
Turkiye suggests branding of Pakistani rice
Bolat emphasised the need for effective marketing and branding of Basmati rice in Türkiye to strengthen its market presence and improve consumer recognition.
The Commerce Minister highlighted investment opportunities for Turkish companies, particularly 1,000 acres of land earmarked for Turkish enterprises at Karachi Industrial Park.
He invited Turkish businesses to establish industrial units on the designated land and expand their manufacturing and investment operations in Pakistan.
Bolat also agreed to send a delegation of Turkish official delegation to review existing bilateral trade mechanisms and explore practical measures to improve commercial relations.
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Both sides stressed the importance of institutional engagement and closer business cooperation to convert available opportunities into tangible trade and investment outcomes.
OIC trade cooperation
Separately, Jam Kamal Khan met Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, Director General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), on the sidelines of the COMCEC session.
Selçuk briefed the minister on the organisation’s research initiatives, ongoing activities and reports on trade among member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
She highlighted SESRIC’s role in providing statistical information and analytical insights to support economic cooperation among Islamic countries.
Appreciating the institution’s work, Jam Kamal Khan emphasised the importance of accurate, reliable data in economic research and policymaking.
He said credible statistics and evidence-based assessments were essential to identify trade trends, understand market dynamics and evaluate commercial potential among OIC member states.
The minister said improved data quality and comprehensive trade analysis could help member countries identify untapped opportunities, address trade barriers and develop more effective strategies to increase trade within the OIC region.
He also underscored the importance of research-based cooperation and reliable trade statistics in supporting informed decision-making and greater economic integration among OIC countries.
Pakistan and Türkiye’s Trade in Goods Agreement took effect on May 1, 2023, granting tariff concessions on selected products.
Both governments have set a $5 billion target for bilateral trade, but current commerce remains well below that level, leaving considerable scope to expand market access for exporters in both countries.
