LAHORE - Turkish businessmen are ready to initiate joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts as they are convinced that ample opportunities lie in a number of sectors including textiles, construction and education. This was stated by Mesut Yaran, head of 28-member strong Turkish business delegation, while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday. LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik, Senior Vice President Sheikh Mohammad Arshad, Vice President Sohail Azhar, former Presidents Mian Tajammal Hussain and Bashir A Buksh also spoke on the occasion. Provincial Secretary Fazl Abbas Maken and chief Executive Officer Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) Saadat Muzaffar were also present in the meeting that continued for well over an hour. The head of the Turkish delegation called for exchange of business delegations so that both the sides could have first hand knowledge of the available opportunities in Pakistan and Turkey. He said that both the countries have marvelous untapped business potential that needs to be realised by maximising the involvement of private sectors of the two countries. He said that the Turkish delegation would also visit the flood-affected areas for having an assessment of the losses caused by the recent devastating floods. Mesut Yaran hoped that the economic relation between the two countries would strengthen further to create a win-win situation for Pakistan and Turkey. Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry was taking immediate and concrete steps to enhance the volume of trade between the two countries from existing $663 million to dollar two billions. He said that to achieve the target at first place focused and collaborative efforts would be made.