LAHORE, Apr 01 (APP): Turkish President Abdullah Gul has said the Turkish people are fully aware of the energy crisis being faced by Pakistan and Turkey will provide all possible help to overcome the problem. He was addressing the Pak-Turkey CEO forum organized by Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PIBT) at a local hotel on Thursday.
Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.
The Turkish President said Turkey had vast experience in the construction sector and the world’s second larges fleet of 250 construction companies after China, which were building dams and big projects.
Abdullah Gul observed that people of Pakistan had proved their intellect in the business sector all over the world which needed to be utilized to expand mutual trade between both brotherly countries.
The Turkish President said that there was a huge potential of investment and trade between Pakistan and Turkey. “The trade volume between the two countries can be enhanced to billions of dollars,” he added.
He said both countries were inter-linked with time-tested and all-weather friendship.
He said that a train link would be developed between Pakistan and Turkey via Iran to minimise the travel time and increase trade.
Abdullah Gul praised the historic importance of Lahore and the warm-welcome and hospitality he received in the city.
He also praised the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr Muahammad Iqbal and their role for creating Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in his address, said that Pak-Turk friendship is a spirit which words cannot express.
Shahbaz Sharif said both countries had not been able to trnasform their brotherly relations into trade and economic ties as the annual volume between the countries was only 740 million dollars.
He stressed the governments, traders, political leaders and people of both countries to find a solution to the problem.
“The vendor industry, auto parts, sports goods, leather industry, plastic tiles, marbles and other industries reflect the skill and capabilities of local people.
“Skilled workforce in Pakistan and availability of raw material at a reasonable rate demand special attention of Turk traders who want to expand their industrial activities to other countries,” he added.
Shahbaz said that 225 acres of land had been earmarked in Faisalabad for a special industrial zone for Turk investors which would be given to them free while all facilities would be provided there.
He said that Pakistan and Turkey had been on the forefront in the fight against terrorism.
Later, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on the special industrial zone by Chairman Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Mangement Company (FIEDMC) Asem Khurshid and Vice President Union of Chambers of Industries and Commodities of Turkey Halim Mete on benalf of their respective side.
Associated Press of Pakistan
