Istanbul: In a bid to enhance their trade ties, India and Turkey have constituted a special bilateral working group drawn from economic ministries, even as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on September 19 urged the business community of the two sides to raise the relationship to a "qualitatively new level" by having a long term vision for future partnership.

Addressing the first ever India-Turkey business meet on the concluding day of his four-day visit to Turkey, Vajpayee said the long history of friendly contact between the two countries should be translated into a vibrant, revitalised economic partnership, based on respective strengths.

"This should cover not only trade in goods and services, but also two-way investment, third country projects, scientific research collaboration, joint commercialisation of new technologies, and many other areas," he said.

Observing that "we need to raise our relationship to a qualitatively new level," he said the two countries have agreed to set up a special bilateral working group, drawn from economic ministries to further the agenda.

Vajpayee said this group should identify areas of promise in hitherto unexplored sectors and analyse how they can best be developed.

"It would also recommend policy measures to our governments for maximising the benefits from our cooperation."

To emphasise the urgency of this task, the Prime Minister said, "We have specified that the group will submit its recommendations to the two governments within six months. I am hopeful that the ideas that emerge from the group will be creative and forward looking."

Representatives from Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) are participating in the meet along with their Turkish counterparts.

PTI