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Thursday March 28, 2024

Turkish team for cementing trade ties with Pakistan

By our correspondents
February 15, 2018

LAHORE: A six-member Turkish delegation headed by Turkey-Pakistan Business Council Chairman Atilla Demir Yerlikaya Wednesday called on Punjab Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique.

According to a handout, the delegation was comprised of representatives from pharmaceutical, hospital disposable items manufacturers, hospital construction and manufacturers of blood transfusion equipments and disposable industries. Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Special Secretary Dr Sajid Mehmood Chohan, Punjab Public Health Agency Chief Executive Dr Shabnam Sarfraz, Internal Policy and Strategic Planning Unit Chief Executive Prof Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore, Consultant Dr Zahid Pervaiz, Chief Procurement Specialist Tayyab Farid and Punjab Board of Investment and Trade Director Dr Sohail were present.

Atilla Demir said a number of Pakistani were serving in Turkey. He said Turkish businessmen were interested to start joint projects in Punjab. He said Turkey and Pakistan were cooperating in different fields and both the countries have close relations.

He said the purpose of the visit was to discuss new avenues of cooperation and to promote trade relations in Pakistan especially in Punjab. Khawaja Salman welcomed the delegation and assured cooperation in strengthening trade ties between Turkey and Punjab.

He promised to arrange meetings with the industrialist especially pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospital disposable manufacturers and experts of blood transfusion. The minister said a joint strategy and way forward would be prepared to extend cooperation between the two sides. For this purpose, a working group would be constituted. The delegation expressed gratitude for the hospitality in Lahore. They showed enthusiasm to work with local industrialist.

PBIT: Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and Turkey Pakistan Business Council Chairman Atilla D. Yerlikaya said Pakistan and Turkey relationship would grow as a powerful factor for stability and prosperity in the region. He was leading a Turkish delegation accompanied by Turkish business representatives from Zorlu Holdings, Anadolu Group, Arcelik, Havelson and Albayrak along with representatives from health, services and construction sector from Lahore to explore more joint ventures opportunities.

Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) organised Pakistan Turkey Business Forum for Turkish delegation. Both the sides discussed the ways development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Atilla said remarkable progress on cooperation in diverse fields including infrastructure development, health, communications, media and culture, and bilateral investments had been made over the years. He expressed confidence that the bilateral relationship was expanding gradually and expected to grow manifolds.

Punjab Chief Minister Advisor Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan welcomed the Turkish delegation at business forum. The Business forum included addresses by PBIT CEO Jahanzeb Burana and Khawaja Ahmad focusing on intensifying and further expanding trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey.