ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday that links between private sectors of Pakistan and Turkey would be strengthened further for which there was a great potential. He was talking to a delegation of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce which called on him at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

The premier stressed the need for enhancing the level of trade and investment between the two countries. “The feeling of love and brotherhood between the two countries should be converted into trade and investment,” said the prime minister.

Mr Aziz said the reforms introduced by the government during the last six years had produced significant results. “The economy has stabilized, markets are growing, the per capita income has increased and the emergence of a flourishing middle class has given boosts to trade and industry.”

He said the consistency and continuity of government polices had given confidence to investors. Last year, he said, Pakistan had the second highest growth rate in Asia. Investment was all time high, he added, adding that the country had never seen such investment in the last three years.

The prime minister said Pakistan was a globalized economy in thinking and approach. “The economy has opened up. The government did not encourage policies of protectionism and concessionary tariffs for the private sector. The private sector was encouraged to grow through a competitive approach, which was bringing efficiency and innovation in many industries.”

Mr Aziz pointed out that Pakistan was now moving up the value-added chain. Engineering and automobile industry are among the main focus areas. He said the services sector is growing rapidly, particularly the financial services, private sector media and information technology industry. Pakistan also had great potential in tourism, construction and real estate, the prime minister added.

Leader of the Turkish delegation Dr Resul said Turkish businessmen were encouraged by investment friendly policies and enabling environment for the business community in Pakistan. He pointed out that Turkish businessmen were interested in joint ventures between private sectors of the two countries.