Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Pakistan to benefit from the ‘immense economic opportunities that the country has to offer’.

The premier extended the invite during a joint press conference with the Turkish president in Ankara on Wednesday. PM Shehbaz is visiting Turkey on a three-day official trip, his first since assuming office.

“The meeting with the Turkish president was very positive,” Shehbaz said while lauding the Pak-Turkey cooperation in the defence sector.

Shehbaz said the leadership of the two countries will next meet in September. “We will try to benefit from Turkey’s experience in the fields of e-commerce, education and infrastructure.”

Speaking before Shehbaz, Turkey’s Erdogan congratulated the Pakistani premier on assuming office. He said Turkey would extend all possible assistance to Pakistan in the development of large-scale shipping vessels.

He also thanked Pakistan for supporting Turkey’s stance on issues across international forums.

Prior to the joint press conference, the prime minister was welcomed by the Turkish president welcoming him upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace.

PM Shehbaz, who is on a three-day official visit, was presented with a guard of honour while the national anthem of the two countries was also performed upon his arrival.

The two discussed bilateral ties including cooperation on the economic front. Regional and global security was also reviewed during the talks.

The prime minister is accompanied by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif along with the premier’s special aides including Fahad Hussain.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz pitched Pakistan to the Turkish businessmen and urged them to tap the immense potential of the country and boost 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.

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.