ISLAMABAD - President Mamnoon Hussain has expressed the hoped that the Turkish government will continue to encourage Turkish companies to invest in different sectors of Pakistan including infrastructure, solid waste management and food processing.

The President stated this while talking to Omer Cihad Vardan, President of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, who along with a delegation called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday. Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Sadik Babur Girgin, Turkish Co-Chairman of Pak-Turk Business Council Atilla Demir Yerlikaya and other high officials were also present on the occasion.

The President said that Pakistan and Turkey will continue to forge closer cooperation in all areas of life including trade and economy, adding that recent investment in Pakistan by Turkish organizations is encouraging.

The President hoped that signing of framework agreement for a comprehensive bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Turkey will help to further promote trade ties between the two countries.

The President noted that the volume of trade between the two countries is below its potential and expressed optimism that conclusion of FTA will be helpful in increasing bilateral trade volume.

The President welcomed the negotiations between the two countries to further enhance bilateral trade.

The President said that Metro Bus project, solid waste management and windmill projects have become shining examples of close cooperation between the two countries, adding that Turkish investors should also invest in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

The President underscored that both countries should benefit from each other’s expertise in different fields. The President stated that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will create new possibilities for economic progress and Turkey should benefit from it as well.

President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan stands by Turkey in war against terrorism and expressed deep condolences over the loss of precious lives in the recent string of terrorist attacks in Turkey.

The President stated that Pakistan too has suffered from terrorism for more than a decade, with more than 62,000 lives being lost in the fight against terrorism.

The President said that Pakistan has gained successes in war against terrorism through operation Zarb-e-Azb the success of which has been lauded by the international community, including Turkey, for which we are grateful.

The President said that the way Turkish people played their role for safeguarding the democracy will be remembered forever in international history.

President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan and Turkey enjoy strong partnership and the future of both countries is bright and expressed confidence that the two countries will continue to work together for peace and prosperity.

Good Pak-Turk ties will continue to grow stronger: Dar

A delegation of Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board, led by Omer Cihad Vardan, called on Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday.

The delegation thanked the government of Pakistan for its support for Turkey in crucial time. “The people of Turkey and we really appreciate the support and the moral stance taken by the Government of Pakistan in favor of the people and government of Turkey”, said Vardan.

The minister welcomed the guests and said that Turkey has been a long standing friend and the people and the government of Pakistan really support the democratic set up in Turkey. The minister also said that the good relations between the two countries will continue to grow stronger in future also. The delegation also discussed with the minister the possibilities of enhancing the cooperation in the areas of bilateral trade and in this respect the delegation shared that Turkey has excellent skills and technology in the field of construction, textile and transportation business. All these skills can benefit both countries in the maximum possible way. The delegation briefed the minister that the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board extends cooperation to other countries through business councils working in 127 countries of the world and they would like to introduce the business community of Turkey to Pakistan and vice versa. The delegation emphasized that they could look into opportunities of joint ventures in Pakistan.

The finance minister appreciated the efforts of the delegation for the promotion of trade and business opportunities between the countries and said that Pakistan will happily become a part of any joint venture started by Turkey for the benefit of both economies. The meeting was attended by senior members of the Ministry of Finance.