Islamabad, June 3,2026: Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, has emphasized the need for Pakistan and Türkiye to capitalize on the immense untapped potential in bilateral trade and investment, stating that the strong political, cultural, and historical bonds between the two brotherly countries should be translated into deeper economic cooperation.
He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) led by its President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, which visited the Turkish Embassy to discuss avenues for promoting trade, investment, and business-to-business collaboration between the two countries.
The Ambassador recalled the longstanding and exemplary relations between Pakistan and Türkiye and noted that both nations share common values, mutual trust, and a strong sense of brotherhood. He said that despite excellent diplomatic relations, the existing volume of bilateral trade does not reflect the true potential of the two economies. He stressed the need for greater interaction between the private sectors, chambers of commerce, and investors of both countries to unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Dr. Neziroglu assured the ICCI delegation of the Embassy’s full support in facilitating stronger linkages between the business communities of Pakistan and Türkiye. He underscored the importance of regular exchange of trade delegations, business networking, and institutional cooperation to enhance commercial ties and encourage joint ventures in diverse sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood said that Türkiye has always enjoyed a special place in the hearts of the people of Pakistan and remains one of the country’s most important economic partners. He noted that both countries possess significant potential for collaboration in sectors such as construction, tourism, information technology, agriculture, food processing, healthcare, education, renewable energy, and manufacturing.
He said that the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to strengthening economic engagement with Türkiye and creating new opportunities for the business community. He informed the Ambassador that ICCI is planning to take a high-level business delegation to Türkiye in August 2026 to explore investment opportunities, establish direct business contacts, and promote bilateral trade. He sought the cooperation of the Turkish Embassy in arranging meetings with leading Turkish chambers of commerce, trade bodies, and business leaders during the visit.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood further observed that enhanced collaboration between the private sectors of Pakistan and Türkiye can play a pivotal role in increasing trade volumes, attracting investment, and fostering sustainable economic growth in both countries. He expressed confidence that stronger institutional linkages and regular business exchanges would help transform the existing friendship into a more robust economic partnership.
Both sides agreed to continue working closely to promote trade and investment cooperation and facilitate meaningful engagement between the business communities of the two countries.
The ICCI delegation included Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, former President Sheikh Amir Waheed, Executive Member Zulqurnain Abbasi, and Secretary General Ghulam Murtaza.
