Prime Minister of Pakistan meets with top Turkish businessmen/investors

ISTANBUL, 14 February 2014:  Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif while meeting here today with the Chairmen/CEOs of leading Turkish business groups in Istanbul assured Government of Pakistan’s full support and maximum facilitation for investment in Pakistan. He urged them to become development partner of Pakistan.

The Pakistani Prime Minister informed the Turkish businessmen about measures taken by his government that resulted in increasing the GDP quarterly rate from 2.9% to 5%, about 17% rise in Karachi Stock Exchange, increased foreign remittance and more business activities. “Our Government plans to rise the GDP growth rate to above 6% and bringing more foreign investment in the energy, infrastructure, low cost housing, municipal services, agro-based industry, information technology, textiles, etc.,” said the Prime Minister.

The Turkish companies who met with the Prime Minister included Mustafa Koc, Chairman Koc Group, Mr. Oguz Carmikli, Vice-Chairman Nurol Group, Mr. Hakan Ozman, CEO and Deputy Chairman of GAMA Holding, Mr. Nehat Ozdemir, Chairman Limak Holding, Mr. Ibrahim Cecin, Chairman IC Holding, Mr. Alp Yalcin Taskent, Chairman of STFA Mr. Ahmet Albayrak, Chairman of Albayrak Group, Mr. Ahmet Zorlu, Chairman of Zorlu Holdings, Mr. Korhan Kurdoglu, President of ATA Holding, Mr. Turgay Ciner, Chairman and CEO of Ciner Group,

Koc group showed keen interest to invest in electrical appliances manufacturing, dairy development, and bus manufacturing. The finished products could then be exported from Pakistan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan will facilitate and encouraged them to have partnership with Pakistan private sector.

In his meeting M/s Limak group, Mr. Nawaz Sharif said Turkish companies will be given all possible help for setting up power plants. The company said they have completed pre-requisites for investing in the wind energy. , coal fired power plants in Gaddani Power Park and construction of highways on BOT basis.

NOROL group said they have explored investment projects of Dasu Hydropower Project, Lahore-Karachi Motorway and coalbased projects., hydropower projects. Prime Minister of Pakistan expected that the group will finalize the technical examination of these projects and assured that their investment will be protected.

Cinar Group of Turkey during the meeting with Prime Minister agreed to establish a 660 MW power plant at Gaddani and offered to start work immediately. Mr. Sharif welcomed Chinar Group's investment in Pakistan and assured full facilitation. Cinar Group also showed keen interest in investment in coal and copper mining in Pakistan.

Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security & Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Mr. Tariq Fatemi, Chairman Board of Investment Mr. Miftah Ismail Ahmad were also present in the meeting.