Istanbul, November 3, 2025 – Pakistan and Turkiye agreed to boost bilateral trade during a high-level meeting on Monday. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan met Trade Minister Prof Dr Omer Bolat in Istanbul. The discussions occurred on the sidelines of the 41st session of the COMCEC. Both nations eye a $5 billion annual trade target. This step addresses who. what. when. where. why and how of enhanced ties.
This pact holds significance for South Asia. It bolsters regional economic resilience. Pakistan gains from Turkish investment inflows. Turkiye accesses South Asian markets via Pakistan. Such moves counter global uncertainties. They promote diversified trade. Ultimately. they aid sustainable growth in the OIC bloc.
Jam Kamal. Omer Bolat Trade Meeting at COMCEC
Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan engaged Prof Dr Omer Bolat on Monday. The venue was Istanbul. The occasion aligned with the 41st COMCEC session. COMCEC fosters economic cooperation among OIC members. Pakistan Turkiye boost bilateral trade efforts featured prominently.
Jam Kamal highlighted government reforms. These steps fall under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. Reforms target efficiency. They ensure transparency. They build investor confidence. Pakistan positions itself as a hub for Turkish funds. Sectors include textiles. agriculture and energy.
Prof Dr Omer Bolat voiced Turkiye’s intent. His government seeks to enhance trade ties. It aims to expand bilateral economic engagement. Bolat assured a positive review of Pakistan’s proposals. This review happens in forthcoming trade talks.
The ministers reaffirmed brotherly bonds. They pledged to explore fresh avenues. Trade. investment and industrial development top the list. This Jam Kamal Omer Bolat trade meeting at COMCEC underscores mutual resolve. Pakistan Turkiye boost bilateral trade gains momentum here.
Both leaders exchanged views on challenges. They tackled barriers to smoother flows. Customs procedures drew focus. Joint ventures emerged as a priority. The session lasted over an hour. It yielded concrete commitments.
Pakistan Turkey $5 Billion Trade Target
Pakistan and Turkiye set a $5 billion trade goal years ago. Recent data shows progress lags. Bilateral volume hovers around $900 million annually. Exports from Pakistan to Turkiye reached $320 million last year. Imports from Turkiye hit $560 million. The gap persists. Yet ambition drives action.
In February 2025. Presidents Shehbaz Sharif and Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed the pledge. They called for intensified efforts. August 2024 saw Prime Minister Sharif label it a priority. Turkish firms already invest $3.5 billion in Pakistan. Over 54 companies operate there.
The current Jam Kamal Omer Bolat trade meeting at COMCEC revives this push. Ministers discussed mechanisms to hit the mark. Preferential trade agreements need updates. Duty reductions could accelerate volumes. Halal products offer untapped potential. Pakistan exports rice. leather and sports goods. Turkiye supplies machinery. chemicals and vehicles.
Government data from the Commerce Ministry outlines steps. Export promotion funds allocate PKR 500 million for Turkish markets. Trade delegations plan quarterly visits. Digital platforms link exporters. These tools bridge information gaps.
Analysts note structural hurdles. Currency fluctuations affect deals. Logistics costs remain high. Yet optimism prevails. The $5 billion target symbolises deeper integration. Pakistan Turkey $5 billion trade target inspires policy tweaks.
Current Trade Figures and Trends
July 2025 figures reveal dynamics. Pakistan exported $26.8 million to Turkiye. This marks a 29 per cent dip from prior year. Turkiye exported $47 million to Pakistan. That reflects a 39.4 per cent rise. Overall. trade balances tilt towards Turkiye.
Historical trends show growth. From 2020 to 2024. volumes doubled. COVID-19 disrupted flows. Recovery now accelerates. OEC data confirms resilience. Pakistan Turkiye boost bilateral trade requires sustained inputs.
Background: Enduring Pakistan-Turkiye Ties
Pakistan and Turkiye share deep roots. Diplomatic relations date to 1947. Both joined the OIC early. COMCEC. launched in 1981. amplifies their collaboration. Over 40 sessions have shaped agendas.
Defence pacts complement economics. Turkiye supplies military hardware. Joint exercises build capacity. Cultural exchanges thrive. Drama serials cross borders. Tourism surges. Over 100,000 Pakistanis visit Turkiye yearly.
Investment forums multiply. The 16th Joint Ministerial Commission in September 2025 targeted the $5 billion mark. Outcomes included memoranda on energy. Education ties expand. Scholarships number 500 annually.
This backdrop fuels the latest push. Pakistan Turkiye boost bilateral trade builds on legacy. The Jam Kamal Omer Bolat trade meeting at COMCEC fits this narrative. It propels longstanding goals.
Implications for South Asia
Enhanced ties ripple across South Asia. Pakistan’s ports. like Gwadar. attract Turkish shipping. This eases regional logistics. Afghanistan benefits indirectly. Trade corridors extend reach.
India watches closely. Though neutral. the pact diversifies Pakistan’s options. SAARC dynamics shift subtly. OIC focus unites Muslim economies. South Asia gains from stability.
Investors eye opportunities. Turkish capital flows to textiles. Pakistani tech startups court funding. Jobs emerge. Over 10,000 could materialise by 2030. Skills transfer follows.
Global factors align. US-China tensions prompt diversification. Russia-Ukraine war spikes energy needs. Turkiye’s position aids. Pakistan Turkiye boost bilateral trade counters isolation risks.
What’s Next: Pathways Forward
Immediate steps loom. Jam Kamal accepts Bolat’s invite. The Halal Expo starts November 25 in Istanbul. Over 1,000 exhibitors attend. Pakistan showcases products. Deals worth $100 million beckon.
Trade negotiations resume next month. Proposals cover tariff cuts. Quota hikes target textiles. A joint working group forms. It meets biannually. Longer term. Free trade agreement talks advance. Ratification eyes 2026. Infrastructure projects. like rail links. gain traction. Digital trade protocols draft now. These moves cement gains. Pakistan Turkey $5 billion trade target nears reality. The Jam Kamal Omer Bolat trade meeting at COMCEC sparks action.
Pakistan and Turkiye continue to boost bilateral trade. Their partnership promises prosperity. Regional watchers anticipate breakthroughs.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 4th, 2025
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