FAISALABAD: Collaborative efforts would be made to give a quantum jump to the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkiye, said Mehmet Eymen Simsek, Consul General of Turkiye in Lahore. Addressing the business community in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that it was his first visit to Faisalabad which provided him an opportunity to fully understand the huge untapped potential of this agro-industrial city particularly in the fields of textile, agriculture and industry.
He said that the current volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkiye is around USD 1.4 billion which is far less than its potential. He said that we could fully understand the challenges and opportunities to enhance bilateral trade and in this connection cooperation between FCCI and Lahore Consulate would be promoted with full sincerity.
Farooq Yousaf Sheikh, President FCCI welcomed the Turkish guests and introduced Faisalabad and FCCI. He said that the current volume of bilateral trade could be enhanced with collaboration and joint efforts at the level of government and business community.
He said that local investors are ready to collaborate with their Turkish counterparts to launch joint ventures in diverse fields with technology transfer. Farooq Yousaf stressed the need to enhance bilateral trade through exchange of trade delegations, B2B meetings and by organizing exhibitions on reciprocal basis.
Nurettin Demir, Commercial Counsellor said that ups and downs are a routine in business-related issues however; we should make efforts to ensure its stability. He said that both countries are negotiating a new trade agreement which would help to give a boost to bilateral trade.
He said that Turkiye has already invested in Pakistan but its quantum could be increased to the sufficient level. He assured that Turkish investors would be encouraged to invest in the textile sector in Faisalabad. He said that textile chemicals are manufactured in Lahore with Turkish investment and its additional unit could also be set up in Faisalabad.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025