The two sides believe that there is a lot of space for improvement in the current trade levels between the two countries
Pak-Turkmenistan Joint Working Group on Trade meeting took place. It was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce Additional Secretary (Trade Diplomacy) Humair Karim, and Turkmenistan’s Head of Department of Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations Merdan Annagulyyev. Senior government officials from both sides were also present during the occasion.
Humair Khan said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan have long-standing diplomatic and commercial relations and the Government of Pakistan attaches huge importance to its relations with Turkmenistan. However, the existing bilateral trade is far below the potential.
Holding of meeting of this Joint Working Group indicates towards on part of both sides to not only to strengthen and increase bilateral trade but also make efforts to remove the hurdles which hamper the trade. He shared the vision of the Government of Pakistan, to make Pakistan a trade, transit, and trans-shipment hub. Khan also highlighted the importance of Pakistan as a hub for investment due to its access to world markets and ease of doing business.
Annagulyyev expressed his pleasure in holding the meeting of JWG on trade and the interest of Pakistan to enhance trade relations with Turkmenistan. He reciprocated the same desire from the Government of Turkmenistan.
The two sides agreed to work on mutual cooperation in SPS standards for trade of agro products, banking sector, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering goods, Trade Dispute Resolution, establishing warehouses in Pakistan, establishing Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Exchange of information on trade, tariff and regulatory regimes and exchange of delegations of professionals and businessmen from Information Technology Sector.