KARACHI, Mar 05 (APP):Acting President FPCCI Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir has urged the expediting the dialogue on signing free trade agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Turkey to boost the bilateral trade.

In a statement here on Monday, he said the exports of fabrics had been badly affected due to provocative duties imposed by Turkey. The increase in duty up to 26.4% was meant to give unfair advantage to their local textile industry, he maintained. He was of the view that as a result of certain steps taken by Turkey, Pakistani exports to the country had reduced by 69% to 282 million dollars in 2017 from 906 million dollars in 2011.By signing FTA, Pakistan could increase its exports to Turkey.

Signing FTA without driving any benefit to the biggest export industry of Pakistan will not serve the purpose, he added.

FPCCI Acting President said that Turkey, by adopting realistic approach, should remove all the barriers to trade in general and Pakistani exports in particular.