Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday pitched Pakistan to the Turkish businessmen and urged them to tap the immense potential of the country and boost the bilateral trade through innovative measures and modern methods.

“We are here to convey a message to our Turkish brothers and sisters and Turkish leadership that we genuinely want to work with you,” he said while addressing the business forum in Ankara. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar were also there.

PM Shehbaz Sharif on May 31 arrived in Turkey on a three-day visit, his first since assuming the office of the prime minister of Pakistan. The premier, whose trip is focused on economic cooperation, comes at a time when the country desperately needs the International Monetary Fund programme to steer the economy out of the crisis.

The premier would also meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the visit. Turkish companies have around $1 billion invested in various sectors in Pakistan, according to the Foreign Office.

The premier reiterated that he aimed to expand the trade with Turkey from $1.1 billion to $5 billion.

“Even though we [Pakistan and Turkey] don’t speak the same language but we share same religion, we come from the same culture and we have shared history,” he said, “Your [Turkish businessmen] active participation in investment in Pakistan is highly appreciated.”

On the prevailing global situation, which is affected by the Covid-19 impact and the Russia-Ukraine war, he said that investors from both countries should work hard. “When the going is tough, then the tough get tougher.”

The premier highlighted some areas of investment, which can help both countries to achieve the trade target. He touted the potential in such areas as a “win-win situation” for both countries.

Areas of investment

• Automobile industry
• Textile industry
• Dams building capacity and power generation
• Renewable energy

“Let’s resolve today that before we conclude this meeting, we must sign a letter of intent that through our untiring efforts we shall achieve a bilateral trade figure of $5 billion in two years to come. It is difficult but not impossible,” PM Shehbaz said.