Several MoUs are likely to be signed between Pakistan and Turkey to enhance economic cooperation, including in the agriculture sector, during President Tayyip Erdogan’s upcoming visit to Pakistan.
Senior officials from the Ministries of National Food Security and Agriculture of Pakistan and Turkey met to formulate an action plan for future cooperation in the agriculture and livestock sectors.
Pakistan has invited Turkey to invest in livestock vaccination, highlighting the 220 million animals in the country, while Turkey has assured its full support to increase Pakistan’s agricultural production.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Pakistan on February 12 where he will co-chair the seventh meeting of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 13.
The HLSCC is a high-level decision-making forum that provides strategic direction to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries. The Council has seven joint working groups that focus on political coordination, trade and investment, energy, banking and finance, transport and communications, culture and tourism, and education.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed enhancing cooperation in organic farming, fisheries, water resources, nursery techniques and aquaculture breeding.
The meeting was attended by experts from both countries where various areas of cooperation were discussed in detail. The two sides agreed to share contact points to facilitate further cooperation and connect private sector stakeholders from both countries. Turkey pledged full cooperation to increase Pakistan’s agricultural production.
They acknowledged the strong historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Turkey and stressed the importance of agriculture and livestock as key pillars of the economy. They agreed to work together on innovative solutions to enhance cooperation.
Despite vast agricultural land and favorable conditions, Pakistan’s agricultural exports fall short of its potential. Cooperation with Turkey is expected to significantly improve production and exports.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Agriculture reiterated its commitment to advancing the agriculture and livestock sectors through long-term international partnerships.
