LAHORE – Turkish businessmen are ready to initiate joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts as they are convinced that ample opportunities exist in a number of sectors in Pakistan including energy, textiles and construction.This was stated by President Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) Dr Akkan Suver and President Turkish Industrial Association Tumsiad, Ersin Centin while talking to a 37-member LCCI delegation headed by LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh. The LCCI former Senior Vice Presidents Engineer Sohail Lashari and Tahir Javaid Malik also spoke on the occasion.Dr Akkan said that the foremost purpose of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey is to pave the way for economic, commercial, industrial and financial relations with foreign countries.“DE?K believes that increasing industrial cooperation, widening the foreign trade network and opening Turkish service sector up to the global economy are essential in achieving this target.”The President Foreign Economic Relations Board said that Turkey for being second fastest growing economy of the world after China and first in the European Union has a lot to offer to their Pakistani counterparts and they should avail the available opportunities. Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said the time has come that businessmen of both the countries should enhance their bilateral relations which will be beneficial for the people of both countries. He said that in 1980 the Turkish exports were $4 billion while Pakistan’s were $3.81 billion and today Turkey’s exporting goods worth $114 billion while Pakistan’s total exports are just $25 billion and Turkey has become 16th strongest economy of the world. He said, “We can strengthen our economy by adopting the development and progress of Turkey as model.”“Since energy is an important issue for Pakistan’s economic growth and Turkey has vast experience of exploiting hydro and other energy sources, both the countries should cooperate in this area on priority basis.”“If we talk about the existing trade and economic potential between Turkey and Pakistan, it can be safely said that so far we have only explored it like the tip of the iceberg. The amount of our two way trade itself speaks to a great volume as it has been averaging around $655 millions from the last three years.”“The last year trade figures have been encouraging in a way that the bilateral first time reached to $800 million. The exports increased from $407 million to $644 million registering 58 per cent increase over the previous year. However, imports from Turkey also increased in the same period from $152 million (2009) to $156 million (2010) but the change was merely 2.6 per cent.”