April 9, 2003	Wednesday	Safar 6, 1424

KARACHI, April 8: Ambassador of Turkey in Pakistan, Hasan Kemal Gur has hoped that the trade relations and friendship between the two countries will further improve and strengthen owing to holding of IGATEX Pakistan 2003 exhibition, starting from April 9-12 at Expo Centre.

Addressing a joint press conference, he said political relations have been satisfactory between the two countries but there was a need to push up bilateral ties and this event could help in foster further relations.

He termed IGATEX as one of the greatest events in this part of the world, saying that the Turkish contribution to the fair was very important and guaranteed Pakistan to benefit the utmost from the Turkish participation.

Hasan Kemal said Pakistan and Turkey have a history of strong friendly relations and our bilateral understanding is always to be proud of and the feeling is mutual.

He said it was high time that trade relations between the two countries should reflect the true spirit of friendly relations.

More than 220 exhibitors from 23 countries (including Austria, Sweden, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland) are taking part in IGATEX (International Garment, Textile and Leather Machinery Accessories and Fabrics Exhibition), occupying some 6,000 square metres of exhibit space in all the three halls of the Karachi Expo Centre.

Edward Liu PBM, Managing Director CEMS of Singapore, said that he had designated Turkey as his partner country for this event. He said response of the exhibitors had increased tremendously due to market potential of Pakistan where the government was committed to boost the textile exports to $13.8 billion in two years under the Textile Vision 2005.

Mustafa Sener, President TEMSAD-Turkey, said that Turkish companies were not participating at IGATEX for the purpose of exhibiting and selling machines only, but they were here to share their technology and expertise in textile industry.