Early signing of PTA with Turkey urged

Published November 30, 2005

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: State Minister for Commerce Hamid Yar Hiraj has emphasized the need for early conclusion of an effective Preferential Trade Arrangement (PTA) between Pakistan and Turkey.

He was talking to a Turkish delegation comprising leading businessmen and senior officials of the Istanbul Chamber representing major business sector here on Tuesday.

The minister said that the proposed PTA should accommodate each country’s request for inclusion of potential products in the concession list to enhance the trade potential between the two countries.

He emphasized the need to increase trade between the two countries to commensurate with historical brotherly relations between the two countries.

He also informed them of the economic revival of Pakistan and of the government’s commitment to continue with its liberal and transparent policies introduced since 1999.

The Turkish delegates were of the view that effective implementation of the Tripartite Transportation Agreement between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey would help in smooth flow of each country’s trucks. In their view this would boost the two way trade between Turkey and Pakistan.

The minister informed the Turkish delegation of the potentials of investment in Pakistan in various fields. The Turkish side expressed keen interest in investment and collaboration in Pakistan particularly in the field of agro processing. They also showed their interest in exporting mild steel and galvanized sheet to Pakistan.

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