Chaudhary Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) and Special Initiatives participated in the D-8 Investment Forum in Istanbul today. The Investment Forum, entitled “Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future”, is jointly organized by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) on the occasion of the 25th Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the D-8, says a press release received here today from Ankara.
In his opening keynote speech, Minister BOI urged full realization of cooperation potential between D-8 Member States including through intensifying private sector engagements and intra-bloc trade. In particular, he stressed on the importance of tourism and agriculture sectors for achieving socio-economic goals. The Minister gave an overview of Pakistan’s friendly investment climate, ease of doing business and investment initiatives undertaken by the government including establishment of Special Economic Zones and Technology Zones.
On the Forum’s sidelines, Federal Minister Chaudhary Salik Hussain met with Mr. Mehmet Mu?, the Turkish Minister of Trade. Both Ministers reviewed actions taken in the follow-up of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Türkiye earlier this month. It was agreed to strengthen bilateral engagement with a view to deepen bilateral economic relations and realize the target of USD 5 billion bilateral trade in the next three years.
The Minister BOI also met with the Secretary-General of the D-8, Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam and discussed various means to enhance trade and economic cooperation within the D-8 countries including through early entry into force of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and further work on visa facilitation and free economic zones for businesses from the D-8 countries. Both dignitaries agreed to expedite work on priority sectors including technology, tourism and food security.
Earlier, Federal Minister Hussain met with Mr. Ahmet Burak Da?l?o?luö, President of Türkiye’s Investment Office. Minister BOI took keen interest in Türkiye’s experience in investment promotion in the country. It was agreed that both ogranizations will share their respective experiences with each other through regular exchanges.
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