Bilateral ties between Pak-Turk to reach new heights

Islamabad (14th Feb, 2020): Bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey expected to reach new heights in 2020.

According to reports of Baaghi TV, first delegation level meeting held between the Turkish delegation led by the Transport and Infrastructure Minister Cahit Turhan, and the Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi accompanied by Secretary, Maritime Affiars Rizwan Ahmed, Additional Secretary Nadir Mumtaz Warraich and Joint Secretary Kamran Farooq Ansari, as part of the historic visit of the Turkish President, Recep Tayyab Erdogan in the Pakistani Capital, Islamabad.

Cahit Turhan, Transport and Infrastructure Minister, reportedly stressed on the need to maintain “bilateral cooperation” in the shipping sector, thereby Turkey can assist Pakistan in its “shipyard operations” via an exchange of technology and experience between the two states. Turhan added that Pakistan’s manpower will be given preference in Turkish companies. Moreover, it was elaborated that bilateral MOUs will be signed once the details are finalized and necessary protocols are worked out to “ensure expeditious implementation”.

In the course of the meeting, Turkey’s delegates showed interest in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and expressed support for Pakistan’s infrastructural development.

Minister for Maritime Affairs, Ali Zaidi, briefed the guests with regards to the salient features of Pakistan’s new shipping policies, the details concerning tax exemptions for the ships which are registered in Pakistan, including berthing rights, respectively.

During the course of the delegating meeting, Ali Zaidi, welcomed Turkish organizations and companies to establish their industries in the Export Processing Zones being established in port cities across Pakistan. Additionally, he added that Pakistan has a potential for development of its “coastal cities” and tourism industry for which projects are being worked upon to revolutionize the maritime sector in Pakistan.

Moreover, the Turkish Minister was also welcomed to participate in the Maritime EXPO which is being expected to be held later this year in Karachi. In addition to this, the Pakistan’s ministers requested Turkey to facilitate and ease in the VISA restrictions.