ISLAMABAD: Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to start cargo train services from March 4 to promote bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
According to sources, all necessary preparations for dispatching the ITI Container train have been fulfilled. The railway line has great potential. Initially, it took a train 15 days to make the 6500km journey, and this was eventually reduced to 11.5 days. The train can carry twenty 40-feet rail cars.
On January 26, the Turkish Consul general held meetings with members of the business community to discuss possibilities of enhancing trade and commercial ties between the two countries.
During his visit to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Turkish Consul General Tolga Ucak said that a cargo train service between Istanbul and Islamabad would soon be inaugurated and in this regard, all formalities were completed.
He said the initiative with a transit time of 9-10 days, will go a long way in the promotion of bilateral trade. He offered to organize a roadshow of Turkish products in Pakistan, expressing optimism that the volume of bilateral trade would enhance further in the post-coronavirus world.
The envoy assured the FPCCI of his support to the initiative undertaken by FPCCI and Turkey’s JBC for the joint activities between both countries.
Meanwhile, during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Tolga Ucak emphasized the need to encourage joint ventures in different sectors of the economy.
“Turkey can assist in setting up a tram service system in the port city, particularly at the coastal line of sea view, which would change the face of the metropolis and become a tourist attraction,” he added.
The Turkish official assured that the commercial section of the Turkish Consulate in Karachi is ready to fully help the city’s business & industrial community intending to improve trade and investment ties with their Turkish counterparts.
