Faisal Khawer Butt Sialkot
Mr. Durmus Baatug, the Consel General of Turkey Consulate Lahore, on Friday has said that Turkey and Pakistan had been enjoying strong and friendly ties for several decades and their relations were based on centuries old social, cultural and religious values and traditions.
While addressing the local industrialists and exporters at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Mr. Durmus Baatug said that Pakistan always had enjoyed a very special place in the hearts of the people and the governments of Turkey.
He said that Turkiye was too eager to engage with Pakistan in order to explore new avenues to enhance and improve the bilateral trade which was far lesser than the actual potential of both the countries. He added that the existing potential must be converted into an opportunity to expand mutual trade and business activities for the benefit of both the friendly nations.
Mr. DurmusBaatug opined that the promotion of the business-to-business ties between businessmen from both countries was also an important factor in boosting the bilateral trade. While talking about the visa issuance policy, Mr. DurmusBaatug said that in issuing visas Turkiye prioritized business people and students busy in seeking knowledge in the education institutions of Turkiye.
He said that the visa policy would be improved further in coming times. He also said that it was not possible currently for Turkey to sign an FTA with Pakistan due to its certain obligations with the European Union.
Earlier, the president SCCI Malik Abdul Ghafoor proposed the sending of a delegation of SCCI to Turkiye and also added that an active exchange of trade delegations in both the countries could play a great part to enhance bilateral trade.
He said that the Sialkot’s unique sector of SMEs (small and medium entrepreneurs) was highly conducive not only in promoting the industrial and trade activities at local level but also in promoting the bilateral trade. He also highlighted the role of SCCI in assisting the business community of Sialkot and accomplishing a number of mega projects for the social sector progress and the public welfare. The SCCI vice president Amer Majeed Sheikh and others were also present.
