ISLAMABAD, September 2: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Pakistan and Turkey will continue to forge closer cooperation in all areas of life including trade and economy adding that recent investment in Pakistan by Turkish organizations is encouraging. The President hoped that the Turkish government will continue to encourage Turkish companies to invest in different sectors of Pakistan including infrastructure, solid waste management and food processing.
The President said this while talking to Omer Cihad Vardan President of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey who along with a delegation called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.
Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Sadik Babur Girgin, Turkish Co-Chairman of Pak-Turk Business Council Atilla Demir Yerlikaya and other high officials were also present on the occasion.
The President hoped that signing of Framework Agreement for a comprehensive bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Turkey will help to further promote trade ties between the two countries. The President noted that the volume of trade between the two countries is below its potential and expressed optimism that conclusion of FTA will be helpful in increasing bilateral trade volume. The President welcomed the negotiations between the two countries to further enhance bilateral trade.
The President stated that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will create new possibilities for economic progress and Turkey should benefit from it as well.
President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan stands by Turkey in war against terrorism and expressed deep condolences over the loss of precious lives in the recent string of terrorist attacks in Turkey.-Sabah