Analysts are optimist that the recent visit of Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Pakistan is a major step forward towards fortifying Pakistan-Turkey relationship. Moreover, the Turkish Prime Minister’s visit is his first visit to Pakistan following Nawaz Sharif’s appointment as the Prime Minister in May 2013. Where Pakistan and Turkey enjoy friendly ties, Nawaz Sharif and Tayyip Erdogan were confident to strengthen their bilateral ties.
This was evident when the two leaders signed three Memorandum of Understandings (MoU), ensuring to provide the two countries with investment opportunities and to enhance corporation in trade and industry. The three MoUs signed were between Pakistan Railways and Turkish Logistics Organization; Pakistan Industrial Department and Turkey Cooperation Agency; and between Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority and Turkish Standard Institution. These agreements herald the opening of venues for cooperation that that will boost Pak-Turkey ties.
A frequently used term by political and business analysts during Erdogan’s visit was ‘Economic Development Roadmap.’ It is believed that Turkey will cooperate with Pakistan in all sectors including food processing, communication, transport, energy, textile, and infrastructure. In addition, the two Prime Ministers were invited in an event hosted by the Pak-Turk Business Forum that set the stage for discussions for future growth.
Analysts were hopeful over Erdogan’s visit because accompanying him were representatives of over thirty Turkish companies. Furthermore, a trade delegation had also arrived with the Turkish Prime Minister to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan and to make development plans in various sectors. It is believed that Pakistan will gain insights regarding Turkey’s banking sector and legislative framework; the areas that helped Istanbul maintain its economic stability during the global financial crisis. Turkey stands as the 16th largest economy in the world the sixth in the European Union, a status that can benefit Pakistan in many ways. It is a question of how Islamabad will capitalize on this opportunity.
Recently, the wave of terrorism and corruption took away investor’s confidence from participating in development activities in Pakistan, however, the business sector opines that Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan will encourage foreign companies to invest in Pakistan. Erdogan’s statement during his speech at the Pak-Turk Business Forum, “I have strong conviction that Pakistan will become a fast developing country”, will reverberate across South Asia and the West, bearing testimony that Pakistan is moving on the right track.
During their meetings, the two Prime Ministers also discussed strategies to capitalize on their trade volume, which is touching the $83 million mark, which is quite low. Erdogan believes that Islamabad and Ankara, under the Preferential Trade Agreement, can broaden their bilateral trade by sharing technical assistance, exchange of trade delegations, and by offering scholarship opportunities for students of both countries. Of late, Turkish entrepreneurs have done a commendable job in putting Turkey on the path of economic development where the credit goes to the country’s private sector. Pakistan can take assistance from the Turkish private sector, which is looking forward to invest in Pakistan. In addition, Pakistan’s entrepreneurs, government, and the private sector in particular, can gain valuable insights from Turkey’s economic stability and follow their plans of action for growth.
Furthermore, Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan comes at a time when Prime Minister Sharif’s government is in a fix over fulfilling its economic and trade objectives. Where Islamabad has to overcome the shortcomings of the previous government, it also needs deliver upon its promises. Looking at Pakistan’s ties in the region, China has been Pakistan’s all-weather friend and now Ankara is garnering Islamabad’s support, which will create some jealousy in the South Asian region where India will be keeping a close eye on Pak-Turkey ties.
The diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and Turkey, however, dates back to 1947. Since then, the two countries have supported each other in infrastructure, military, and trade development projects. Furthermore, in August 2009, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yousuf Raza Gilani, launched a train service between Pakistan and Turkey to transport containers and ease the passage of cargo between the two countries. Prime Minister Sharif, during his third stint as head-of-state, is willing to create mutual relationship with regional partners to provide Pakistan with an impetus of growth where Turkey is perhaps one of the best options in present times because of its economic growth and geographic location.
New promises and assurances were set into motion between the two premiers, however, Islamabad should understand that European influence over Turkey, as half of the country falls into Europe, could steer Turkish interests in the other direction that might keep its pledges with Pakistan to exist only on paper.
The writer is a freelance columnist for various English dailies and writes on international relations with focus on South Asia. He tweets @omariftikhar
Courtesy:
The Frontier Post
