Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu remarked that there are possible co-operation between Pakistan in the fields of energy, infrastructure, construction and contracting.

Turkey- Pakistan Business Forum occurred at TOBB premises. The President of Pakistan, Asıf Ali Zerdari, Minister Mehmet Aydın and the Chairman of Turkish-Pakistan Business Council Hüseyin Akın and businessmen from both countries.

President of TOBB and DEİK, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu addressed Mr. Zerdari: “At the Economic Cooperation Organization Summit, you have given us your time to discuss the economic relations which broadened our horizons. Under your leadership, we have strengthen and accelerated our activities to enhance the economic relationship and friendship.”

When the earthquake occurred, we stand by Pakistan.
As the head of the Turkish private sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that stronger Pakistan means stronger Turkey and he added: “Because of this, when the flood disaster occurred last year, we activated Turkish business world and helped Pakistan financially. We shared the pain and we stood by Pakistani brothers who did the same thing during our independence war and the earthquake occurred in 1999.”

Hisarcılıoğlu stated that Pakistan is forseen to be the 20th biggest economy by the end of year 2050 with its 2 trilion USD economic volume and added “As the Turkish Private sector we wish to contribute Pakistan during its impetuous development process”.
After giving information regarding Turkish economy and Turkey’s position in the world, Mr. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkish private sector is ready to share the opportunities they posses with the Pakistani business world. Hisarcıklıoğlu said “Turkey and Pakistan has friendly and brotherly connections. These connections should reflect to the economic and commercial relations”.

-ECOTA will increase the trade volume.

Geçen sene Aralık ayında, Pakistan Başbakanı Yusuf Rıza Gilani’nin Türkiye’yi ziyareti vesilesiyle, iki ülke arasında imzalanan ortak bildiriyle ECO Ticaret Anlaşması’nın (ECOTA), iki ülke arasında uygulanmaya başlaması kararı alındığını hatırlatan Hisarcıklıoğlu, “Sözkonusu bildirinin biran önce uygulanmaya başlanmasının, ülkelerimiz arasında ticaret hacminin artmasını kolaylaştıracağına inanıyoruz. İkili ticaretimiz son on yılda artma eğiliminde olmakla beraber, henüz 1 milyar dolar civarındadır. Birlikte çalışıp, 2012 yılı sonunda, karşılıklı ticaretimizi, en az 2 milyar dolar olarak görmeliyiz” ifadesini kullandı.

Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that last year in December, during the visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Rıza Gilani, an agreement for the implementation of ECOTA between Turkey and Pakistan was signed. He added “ Starting the implementation of this agreement will facilitate to increase the trade volume between the two countries. While our bilateral trade has been increasing in the last ten years, it has barely reached 1 billion dollars. Our bilateral trade should be 2 billion dollars by the end of 2012, with bilateral support”.

President of TOBB Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu continued his speech:
 “There are possible cooperation opportunities between the two countries in the fields of energy, infrastructure, construction and contracting. For example, in the Tatta region which is on the south of Sindh Province, a new city named Zülfikarabad will be established and we wish that the Turkish constructors would serve at this project.


However, we should strengthen the mechanisms which would serve to enhance our economic relations. In this context, we should especially strengthen the banking system and its infrastructure.
On the other hand, we should improve our transportation networks which essentially serve trade. Because there is still no navigation service, a container which is embarked in Istanbul would reach to Pakistan in 45 days. As you would appreciate, this is not acceptable in today’s world where logistic costs are seen as crucial competition elements.

-“ The meetings of the Committee of Road Transportation should start immediately.”

We desire that committee of road transportation meetings should start immediately between Turkey and Pakistan. Mainly, Pakistan should complete its membership process to TIR system. I want to emphasize that we are ready to fully support for this matter.
Also, as you know, yesterday I made a presentation about “İstanbul- İslamabad Railway”. With signing of We want to actualize this project which make a great contribution our volume of trade and transportation. The Intent of Declaration which we believe would help to enhance the trade volume and transportation, should be signed as soon as possible.”
-President of Pakistan Asıf Ali Zerdari

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zerdari invited Turkish businessmen to invest in Pakistan. Moreover he said “We are open for all proposals, come discuss with us. In this way, we can change the next century to Asian century.”


Zerdari explained that his views are actually the dreams and views of Ms. Benazir Butto. He said “She was the one who taught me about Turkey.”

“As our relationship and ideas increase, we can serve our countries better. We should build roads for our new generations to walk on as they will be a more universal generation.”
President Zardari said that, he is not against foreign businessmen to work in Pakistan however they would prefer to work with their Turkish brothers and emphasized the need of improvement in the field of  transportation.

-“I tried to convince the Prime Minister Erdoğan in signing an important Project”

President Zerdari explained that the reason he was late was because he had a long meeting with with the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and he was trying to talk him into signing an agreement of a project. He said that he wouldn’t explain that project but it concerned the businessmen.

Zerdari invited Turkish businessmen especially to the road construction projects in Pakistan and Zerdari said that they propose to impart and tenure in 99 years. He emphasized that Pakistan’s population is approximately 150 million and %65 of the population is young. Young population should be educated because it would be great opportunity in the future. Zerdari underlined the tourism potential of Turkey and he remarked that there will be more tourists coming to Turkey in the near future.

-Chairman of Turkish-Pakistan Business Council, Hüseyin Akın

Chairman of Turkish-Pakistan Business Council, Hüseyin Akın emphasized that trade relation between two countries gained speed recently and underlined the importance of connectivity between the two countries.
Akın thanked everyone who contributed during this process and he emphasized Turkey and Pakistan has great potential.
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