Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said, “We are creating Turkish Trade Centers at the points we target, but more importantly, it seems that we need to establish logistics centers in a few places for Africa. We have started our work on this.”
In her speech at the opening of the African Region Business Councils Consultation Meeting organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), Pekcan said that those in the hall are operating in a difficult geography for the development of trade between Turkey and Africa.
Referring to the importance given to Africa and the activities they carry out for the development of trade with Africa, Pekcan said that they currently have embassies in 42 countries in Africa and trade consultancies in 26 countries.
Stating that THY flies to 38 countries in Africa, Pekcan emphasized that it is an important privilege for DEIK to have business councils in 45 countries in this region.
Pekcan said that there are free trade agreements (FTA) with 5 countries in Africa, mutual protection of investments with 30 countries, and double taxation prevention agreements with 13 countries.
Pekcan said, “In the coming period, we are planning to visit Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tunisia as a ministry, which we are planning now, but other countries may be included in this, together with you…”
Exports to Africa increased by 579 percent
Ruhsar Pekcan stated that during the period covering 2003-2018, total foreign trade with Africa increased from 5.5 billion dollars to 23.8 billion dollars, exports increased from 2.1 billion dollars to 14.4 billion dollars, and exports increased by 579 percent.
Stating that the export figure is not enough at this point and that there is still a long way to go, Pekcan said, “While so many protectionism measures have come to the fore in the world, we need to focus on our target markets and focus on Africa and focus here.”
Pekcan stated that the trade volume between Africa and Turkey increased by 7.7 percent to 22.9 billion dollars in 11 months of the year, and that African countries such as Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa and Kenya are among the countries they have chosen as targets in the Export Master Plan they announced as of August 29.
Emphasizing that they are behind exporters as the Ministry, Pekcan said, “We are creating Turkish Trade Centers at the points we target, but more importantly, it seems that we need to establish logistics centers in a few places for Africa. We have started our work on this. The participation of both the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the business councils of TOBB and TIM and DEIK here is very important in terms of the location of logistics centers…”
“2020 will be the year of Africa for us”
Minister of Trade Pekcan gave details about the FTAs signed with African countries and stated that the FTAs with Egypt, Tunisia and Mauritius were completed.
Stating that the approval process was delayed due to the civil unrest in Sudan, Pekcan said that they are waiting for the approval process in Ghana, that they are in the negotiation process with Somalia and Seychelles, and that they will sign preferential trade agreements with Mozambique and Mauritania.
Pekcan said, “2020 will be like the year of Africa for us. Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit will probably be held in April, hosted by our Presidency.”
Referring to the contributions they will offer to this event together with DEIK, Pekcan asked the members of the African business councils to be active here.
At the meeting, which continued closed to the press after the opening speeches, it was learned that the chairmen and members of the business councils will convey their requests and demands to Minister Pekcan.
