S.M. Tanveer, Minister for Industries and Commerce of Punjab said that Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy exemplary friendship and it is the right time that the business community of both countries should strive for developing strong trade ties that would be more beneficial for both nations. He said this while talking to Enes Malik Cetin, Commercial Counsellor of Turkiye during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI).

Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) said that there are immense business opportunities between Pakistan and Turkiye and both countries should sign a free trade agreement to boost bilateral trade up to their actual potential. He said that Pakistan and Turkiye had signed a preferential trade agreement in August 2022, which came into effect from 1st May 2023 and hoped that it would contribute to improve bilateral trade between the two countries. He said that the PTA has provided preferential access to the many products of both countries in each other’s market and emphasized that the private sectors of both countries should take maximum benefit of it to increase bilateral trade volume. He said that the embassy should share a list of its top imports with ICCI so that the business community can explore the possibility of exporting more products to Turkiye.

Enes Malik Cetin, Commercial Counsellor of Turkiye said that his country considers Pakistan a very close friend and wants to strengthen trade ties with it. He said that keeping in view the success of PTA, Turkiye would consider FTA with Pakistan. He stressed for close collaboration of ICCI with trade associations of Turkiye including MUSIAD in order to explore all untapped areas of mutual cooperation between the two countries. He said that direct business linkages between the private sectors would help enhance trade and economic ties between Pakistan and Turkiye and assured that his embassy would cooperate with ICCI in this regard.

Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President ICCI said that Pakistan can export many products to Turkiye including textiles, pharmaceuticals, cement, marble at competitive prices and stressed that Turkiye should consider importing these products from Pakistan.

Engr. Azhar ul Islam Zafar, Vice President ICCI stressed for regular interaction between ICCI and Turkish Embassy to explore new areas of promoting business relations between Pakistan and Turkiye.

Khalid Iqbal Malik, former President ICCI said that both countries should focus on strong connectivity between their importers and exporters in order to capitalize on all possible areas of bilateral trade promotion.

Zafar Bakhtawari, former President & Secretary General UBG said that both countries should develop direct air and railways links that would help boost bilateral trade and economic ties.

Waqar Bakhtawari, President Chakwal Chamber of Commerce, Ameer Hamza, Rizwan Cheena, Ch. Javed Iqbal, Humayun Kabir, Munizeh Majid, Ch. Muhammad Ali and others were also present on the occasion.