ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: Pakistan is likely to sign a string of trade agreements with Turkey later this month, a top official told Dawn.

The agreements are aimed at improving bilateral trade, and are to be formalized during the 12th session of the Turkey- Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation (TPJMCETC).

The Turkish authorities are said to be keen on signing the agreements/memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the forthcoming joint ministerial conference to be held in Ankara, said the official.

The agreements to be finalized with Turkey are in the areas of land transport, small industries and airline industry.

KOSKEP, Turkish association of small and medium industries, is likely to conclude an agreement with Smeda for cooperation in small and medium size industries.

Similarly, Turkish customs department would likely to conclude an agreement with the Central Board of Revenue. The Turkish Standards Institute would like to conclude an MOU with Pakistan Standard Institute.

The Turkish Airlines is also keen to increase the number of flights to Pakistan and would like to revise the existing agreement between the civil aviation authorities of the two countries, the official added.

According to the official, the Turkish government is also interested in cooperation with Pakistan’s construction and contracting firms, with focus on the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkey stood at $148.138 million during the year 2000-01 against $167.610 million during 1999-2000, showing a decline of 0.116 per cent.

Turkey average share in Pakistan’s total exports and imports during the year 2000-01 were at 1.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively. While the trade balance between the two countries stood at $52.9 million in the year 2000-01.