KARACHI, Oct 15: The volume of trade between Turkey and Pakistan is expected to increase to $2 billion mark by the end of the year 2006, from the current $500 million.

This was stated by Turkish Ambassador Hasan Kemal Gur while talking to reporters here on Friday. The consul general of Turkey in Karachi was also present on the occasion.

"So two years from now our trade volume will be reaching $2 billion," Mr Gur remarked. He says this means that Turkish-Pakistani bilateral economic relations will be almost equal as far as Turkey's ties with its European trade partners are concerned.

Replying to a question, the ambassador said he was very hopeful about the future of Pakistan which was going to be one of the most desired trade partners in the region. He pointed out that Pakistan would be reaching a take-off stage.

Mr Gur said that by September this year the trade volume between Turkey and Pakistan was to the tune of $500 million. He said that by the end of the year 2005 it was hoped that this would go up to the mark of $1 billion, but the target was $2 billion by the end of 2006.

The ambassador was of the view that Pakistan could benefit from Turkey's experience in the construction sector. In this respect, he pointed out: "we are not only in the Central Asia, but also in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and some Latin American countries."

He said he knew that some Turkish companies had employed Pakistani labour, technicians and engineers in some of the contracts in Gulf countries. Mr Gur was of the opinion that joint ventures had already started in the construction sector. He said there are many areas that have not been touched so far and that "we will have to make use all these areas".

"Anything positive in Pakistan makes Turkey very happy and proud," he remarked. Mr Gur also shed light on the potential of ECO countries in the realms of trade and economy for the benefit of the 10-member countries' organization. -APP