The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) recently urged the government to resolve all anti-dumping barriers imposed by Turkey on Pakistani textile and other items before signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with the country. These measures have reportedly reduced Pakistan’s exports to Turkey to $327 mn from $850 mn in 2011.
Appreciating efforts by both governments to enter into a strategic economic framework (SEF) for enhancement of bilateral trade relations, FPCCI President Daroo Khan Achakzai said the primary purpose of SEF is to enhance bilateral trade by five folds from current $800 mn and for achieving that, the FTA should be signed this year.
Textile and rice are the main exportable items of Pakistan facing high tariff rates in Turkey, Pakistani media reports quoted him as saying. Turkey is currently importing surgical items from Germany that are originally manufactured in Pakistan, he added.
