PM Shehbaz Sharif sets $5b target of Pak-Turk bilateral trade

ANKARA: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has urged the business community of Pakistan and Turkey to take the bilateral trade to $5 billion mark within the next three years.

Addressing a dinner reception hosted in his honour by President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, Rifat Hisarciklioglu in Ankara, he assured his government’s all-out support in this regard.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said unfortunately the historic friendship between Pakistan and Turkey does not reflect in the bilateral trade which currently stands at 1.1 billion dollars.

He said the government has done away with all the impediments to the business sector, urging Turkish investors to invest their capital in multiple sectors like agriculture, IT, dairy, textile, and many other fields.

PM Shehbaz Sharif also thanked the Turkish people and the leadership for supporting Pakistan during the earthquake and floods, besides showing its unwavering support for the Kashmir cause. He also reiterated Pakistan’s stance to support Turkey on the Cyprus issue.

Earlier, on arrival in Ankara, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was warmly welcomed by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and other high officials at Esenboga Airport.

A smartly turned-out contingent of the Turkish Army presented salute to him.

PM Shehbaz Sharif along with a high-level delegation is on a three-day official visit to Turkey.