The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including the Turkish brothers, would no longer put up with any impediments to foreign investors’ investment, Sharif said on Saturday.
The premier urged Turkish companies to invest in Pakistan while speaking at the Turkiye-Pakistan Business Council in Istanbul. He also stated that the infinite potential between the two brotherly countries should be reflected in their bilateral business and trade.
He assured them that his government will address and resolve all of their legitimate concerns by saying, “I want to convey this message to all through you that we are brothers and family and will not tolerate snags and impediments that hurt our ties.”
Shehbaz also gave Turkish investors his government’s word that they may expect a hassle- and red-tape-free environment.
The PM also expressed regret that Turkish companies that had invested in Pakistan had not been paid in full during the previous regime. The same was valid for Turkish airlines operating in Pakistan.
Shehbaz said that an MoU had been signed by the two countries to increase bilateral trade by up to $5 billion over the following three years.
He also urged investors to make coordinated efforts to double this trade volume in the next three years, with a strong commitment and sincerity of purpose, since “only hard work and untiring efforts will be key to a wonderful success story.”
The volume of bilateral trade and business did not properly reflect historical relations and fraternal ties, he added, adding that although the people of the two countries speak different languages, they understand one another and their hearts beat together.
The premier said that financial rules and regulations govern trade, investment, and economic activity in every country and that, in this regard, the two friendly countries have mostly resolved their issues.
He went on to say that now was the time to mend things.
“Let us begin today and look forward. Learn from the past and move quickly so that we can make up for past losses and profits. There is immense potential on both sides; let’s work together to make progress quickly to show to the world that we, as brothers, have the will, commitment, and sincerity of intent to put our words into action,” he added.
Governments come and go, but the trade and business ties between the friendly countries shouldn’t be impacted, the PM said.
PM Shehbaz is now on a two-day official visit to Turkey at President Erdogan’s invitation.
