Pakistan and Turkiye Aim for $5 Billion Bilateral Trade, Strengthen Ties During Erdogan’s Visit
Pakistan and Turkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a bilateral trade volume of $5 billion, as reported by Radio Pakistan. This pledge was highlighted during Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-day official visit to Pakistan, which began on Thursday.
President Erdogan arrived in Islamabad shortly after midnight and was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari in Rawalpindi. A formal welcome ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s House, where a contingent of the armed forces presented a guard of honor, and the national anthems of both countries were played.
During high-level talks, President Erdogan emphasized the need to expand the scope of the current goods trade agreement between the two nations. “Turkiye investors will be encouraged to engage more in Pakistan and develop flagship projects,” he stated. He also highlighted the growth in military dialogue and defense industry cooperation, which has significantly boosted trade and investment relations.
Both leaders expressed determination to advance projects and explore new areas of cooperation, including procurement, sales, and joint manufacturing. Erdogan expressed confidence that the 24 agreements signed during his visit would prove beneficial for both countries and the region.
Addressing the Pakistan-Turkiye Business Forum, PM Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the shared goal of achieving $5 billion in bilateral trade. “We had committed to this target, but unfortunately, we still have a long way to go,” he said. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of converting signed MoUs and agreements into actionable outcomes. “I am fully committed to supporting all your efforts,” he assured Pakistani and Turkiye business leaders.
PM Shehbaz also apologized for any “undue inconvenience” faced by Turkiye investors in the past, vowing that such issues would not recur. “Some Turkiye businessmen faced challenges, and we are extremely sorry for that. It should not have happened and shall not happen again,” he pledged. He promised to act as a “CEO of Pakistan” for Turkiye investors, ensuring seamless facilitation for trade and investment.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz and President Erdogan signed multiple agreements across various sectors, including trade, energy, defense, and culture. “On behalf of the people of Pakistan, my government, and myself, I extend a heartfelt welcome to your second home,” PM Shehbaz said, thanking Turkiye for its unwavering support during natural disasters like earthquakes and floods.
President Erdogan expressed gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted the significance of the 24 agreements signed. “We have agreed to further strengthen our relations and discussed regional and global developments extensively,” he said.
This visit underscores the deep-rooted “brotherly relations” between Pakistan and Turkiey, paving the way for enhanced collaboration on mutual interests and global challenges.
