HYDERABAD: Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Babur Hizlan has said that it is unlikely for Pakistan and Turkey to achieve the bilateral trade target of $ 2 billion by the end of 2012.
"It won't be possible because in Turkey we have started implementing some measures against import of textile from countries with which we don't have free or Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)," the ambassador said while talking to reporters here Saturday evening.
According to Hizlan, the new import regime in Turkey concerning primarily the textile sector was affecting Pakistani exports to his country.
"This year Pakistani exports to Turkey are even less than the last year," he observed.
However, he stressed that the prevailing situation offers an opportunity to both the countries that they could sign the PTA and subsequently enhance the trade from next year.
"Both the countries have excellent relations at the official level but our relation is less than where it should be in the spheres of trade. Our aim is to bring trade and economic relations to the sane excellent level that we have in our political relationship," the ambassador said.
He noted that the progress made so far was although good but not where it should have been. He believes that though the trade volume surpass the psychological threshold of over $1 billion by 2011 but it was still less because there existed more space for trade to increase.
The ambassador pointed out that a lack of free and preferential trade agreement between the countries was the main stumbling block.
"We have been negotiating a PTA but it has not been finalized yet," he told. Despite the apparent lack of progress, he added, finalization of the currency swap agreement last year between the two sides was a laudable accomplishment, one which would act as the foundation for trade growth.
This, he said, would enable the businessmen to use Pakistani and Turkish currencies instead of relying on dollar. The ambassador told that in addition to trade the means of transportation between the two countries were also being increased.
"We want more destinations, increase frequency of Turkish airlines and vice versa. We want better road transport and railroad link, which only became possible 3 years ago when Iran and Turkey were linked," he added.
He hoped that a commercial train service between the two sides would soon be opened after recent successful trial runs.
The ambassador also highlighted absence of a direct maritime connection saying all those problems were related to the development of trade.
Hizlan said that Turkish businessmen are investing in the construction and energy sectors in Pakistan, however, he regretted that the level of investment was not up to the expectations.
Responding to the questions about the Turkish role in the ongoing Afghan peace process, the ambassador acknowledged the importance of seriously listening to Pakistan.
"Paksitan has been a country on the front line for last 3 decades. Whatever is happening there affects Pakistan directly either in a positive or negative way. But, the affects mostly have been adverse," he added.
Turkey is a part of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) but it is providing non-combatant services in Afghanistan.
Hizlan said problems in Afghanistan could not be solved only by military means as there has to be good governance, a good civilian administration, better police and a better army.
In reply to a question about Turkey's stance over the US-Taliban negotiations as part of an exit strategy for the US, the ambassador said Turkey supports all kinds of negotiations but they believe that Afghans should own and lead the process.
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