ISLAMABAD: Chaudhary Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) and Special Initiatives, and BOI Secretary Fareena Mazhar met with Türkiye-Pakistan Business Council of DEK (Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye) at Istanbul on Wednesday.

Cengiz Ozdemir, President of the Türkiye-Pakistan Business Council, along with representatives from diverse Turkish business groups, warmly welcomed the minister and the Secretary of the Board of Investment (BOI). The minister engaged in productive discussions with the Turkish business groups, expressing his appreciation for their evident enthusiasm and offering of recommendations and proposals aimed at deepening trade and economic bonds between the two fraternal nations. The focal point of the meeting revolved around strategies to achieve the joint objective of elevating bilateral trade to USD 5 billion within the coming three years.

During the interaction, the BOI Secretary extended a cordial invitation to the business representatives to explore promising investment prospects across various sectors in Pakistan. He also briefed them on Pakistan's recent strides in implementing business reforms to enhance the ease of conducting business within the country. It was highlighted that Pakistan's strategic geographic positioning endows it with access to three continents and 68 countries, chiefly through its integration into the expansive framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) via the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Building on the momentum of the minister and BOI Secretary's meeting with DEİK, the gathering served as a constructive platform for the follow-up on decisions and actions that were undertaken during the Prime Minister's visit to Turkey from May 31 to June 2, 2022. The minister of the BOI assured the participants of the government's steadfast dedication and commitment to facilitating and supporting businesses and investors operating within Pakistan.

The Turkish business community was also apprised of the myriad investment opportunities and incentives available within the ambit of the 22 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being strategically established across Pakistan. These SEZs are part of an overarching vision to position Pakistan as a premier hub for commerce, technology, and advanced manufacturing.

Source: Business Recorder