Daily Times

KARACHI: Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Founder President and FPCCI former vice president Fehmida Jamali has called for accelerating the process of signing free trade agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Turkey to strengthen the economic ties of both the Muslim brotherly countries.

Pakistan has potential to enhance its exports to Turkey up to dollars five billion, with a big capacity of $ 329 million in the trade of instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical and veterinary sciences, Jamali said in a statement on Wednesday.

She said that trade was the ultimate option to promote culture, heritage and exchange views between two nations. It was now the need of the hour to promote Pakistan’s trade and culture in the world, especially with the Muslim countries.

“We are living in an era of commercial diplomacy where trade is the foremost factor in shaping inter-state relations,” she asserted.

The WCCI leader said that international trade was becoming an increasingly important factor in creating jobs, enhancing
competitiveness and efficiency of the domestic industry and strengthening development efforts.

She was of the view that the traditional barriers to trade including tariffs and quantitative restrictions were being dismantled with a view to promote cross-border trade.

She also welcomed the visit of Turkish President Erdogen, which was much needed at this time.

She said both the countries had enjoyed excellent relations ever since the creation of Pakistan. Warmth and affection reserved for the people of Turkey went back even before the creation of Pakistan.

Turkey’s recent gift of T-37 trainer aircraft to Pakistan was indeed an excellent demonstration of the closeness between the two militaries and governments.