LAHORE: A six-member Turkish delegation comprising on the representatives of different industries headed by Chairman Turkey-Pakistan Business Council Atilla Demir Yerlikaya called on Minister Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Punjab Khawaja Salman Rafique, here on Wednesday.

The members of Turkish delegation were representing pharmaceutical industry, hospital disposable items manufacturers, hospital construction and manufacturers of blood transfusion equipments/disposable industries.

On this occasion, Special Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Dr Sajid Mehmood Chuhan, Chief Executive Punjab Public Health Agency Dr Shabnam Sarfraz, Chief Executive Internal Policy & Strategic Planning Unit Prof. Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore, Consultant Dr Zahid Pervaiz, Chief Procurement Specialist Tayyab Farid and Director Punjab Board of Investment & Trade Dr Sohail were also present.

Chairman Turkey-Pakistan Business Council Atilla Demir Yerlikaya said that a number of Pakistani are serving in the different institutions and companies in Turkey and their services are commendable. He said that Turkish businessmen are interested to start joint projects in Punjab.

He said that Turkey and Pakistan already cooperating in different fields and both the countries have close brotherly relations. He said that "We want to further strengthen and promote these ties especially with Punjab".

He further said that the main purpose of the visit of the present delegation is to discuss the new avenues of cooperation and to promote trade relations in Pakistan especially in the province of Punjab. He said that Turkish businessmen would feel proud and happy to become partner with the local industrialists.

Minister Health Kh. Salman Rafique said that he welcomes the Turkish delegation of representatives of industrialists and would extend full cooperation and personally arrange meetings with the local industrialists especially pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospital disposable manufacturers and experts of blood transfusion.

Kh Salman Rafique said that Punjab would get benefit of the vast experience of Turkish experts in the field of pharmaceutical, hospital disposable industry and construction fields.

The minister said that a joint strategy and way forward would be prepared to extend cooperation of both the partners. For this purpose, a working group would also be constituted. The members of Turkish delegation expressed their gratitude for the hospitality and warm welcome in Lahore and said that they would feel happy to work together with the local industrialists and it would be a proud for them to be partner with the local industrialists.