ISTANBUL: Pakistan Consul General in Istanbul Bilal Khan Pasha has said that the auto industry of Pakistan, especially the manufacturers of auto and tractor parts, tyres and tubes, has the potential to make inroads into the Turkish market.
“Turkish automakers and Pakistani engineering companies are negotiating to form joint ventures; in the next phase small and medium enterprises of the two countries will enter into partnerships,” Pasha said while talking to The Express Tribune on the sidelines of the Automechanica exhibition, which kicked off in Istanbul on Thursday. “This year, Pakistani companies manufacturing auto and tractor parts as well as tyre tubes are expected to get significant export orders at Automechanica, which will help increase non-traditional goods export from Pakistan to Turkey,” the consul general said.
He pointed out that Pakistan’s exports to Turkey currently stood at $350 million, which mostly comprised traditional goods like textile, denim, garments, surgical instruments, sports goods, raw leather and leather products. However, there were also various opportunities for Pakistani manufacturers of auto and tractor parts, tyres and tubes in Turkey.
Even though current exports of auto and tractor parts, and tyre tubes made in Pakistan were estimated in the range of $4-5 million, the shipments could be increased two to three times by deepening ties with Turkey’s auto industry, he emphasised.
In this regard, Pakistani embassy in Turkey is also focusing on stepping up exports of non-traditional goods to Turkey. China, India and Vietnam are fast capturing the auto market of Turkey, which offers avenues for Pakistan as well.
“Pakistani products can also grab their share in Turkish and European markets with the help of their quality and attractive prices,” the consul general stressed.
Pasha pointed out that Pakistan was actively participating in this year’s Automechanica exhibition as not only the number of companies displaying their products had increased, the Pakistani pavilion had also been given the theme of ‘Emerging Pakistan”.
The consul general called the exhibition a gateway for the export of auto parts produced in Pakistan to the Eurasia market. In the expo, a large number of buyers have arrived from Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Georgia, Bulgaria and Russia with which business-to-business meetings will be held by Pakistani companies.
On the second and third day of the exhibition, a large number of auto companies from Turkish industrial cities of Bursa and Izmit will hold meetings with Pakistani companies.
Pasha was of the view that Automechanica would help Pakistan exporters gain access to markets of Eastern Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia as a large number of companies and buyers from these regions participated in the exhibition.
He said auto and tractor parts as well as tyre tubes produced in Pakistan had the potential to meet the standards of Asian and European nations and keeping that in view Pakistan was expected to get handsome orders.
Talking about the interest of Turkish investors in Pakistan, the consul general revealed that investors from Turkey were particularly keen on taking part in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, especially the schemes related to renewable energy and hydroelectric power generation.
Apart from these, Turkish companies are eyeing sector-specific industrial zones in Pakistan like the textile and garment city.
In a bid to strengthen trade relations between the two countries, Turkey is inviting Pakistani trade delegations as well. Last year, big delegations from Islamabad and Gujrat chambers of commerce visited Turkey while this year Karachi, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi chambers will make the trip.
