South Africa: SA, Turkey Solidify Economic Relations

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BuaNews (Tshwane)

21 August 2008
Posted to the web 21 August 2008

Bathandwa Mbola
Turkey

South Africa and Turkey have sought to strengthen their bilateral political and economic relations at the First Turkey- Africa Cooperation Summit on Wednesday.

At the two-day summit, Turkey's President Abdullah Gul held individual meetings with Heads of States and foreign ministers from different African countries.

During a meeting between Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and President Gul, progress made in various areas of development cooperation between the two countries was discussed.

The talks between the two also focused on further developing and diversifying relations for the future.

Deputy President Mlamblo Ngcuka, in the meeting with President Gul, said both countries had to admit that they still had not maximised the full potential that existed on the trade front.

She said although economic cooperation had increased Turkish investment initiatives into Africa, there was a need to increase commitment towards skills transfer to Africa.

She said this was necessary for balanced development and sustainable partnership between the two countries.

President Gul also agreed that more could be done; saying the current level of political, economic and cultural interaction between the two countries was far from reflecting the real potential.

In line with the Agreement on Air Transport, President Gul added that Turkish Airlines recommenced three flights per week between Istanbul and Johannesburg and Cape Town from October 2007.

This he said was an important development as it shortens the distance between the two countries and contributes to an increase in business contact and tourism exchanges.

President Gul also raised the issue of Turkey's intension of wanting to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2009/10.

Turkey was a founding member of the United Nations has not held a seat in the Security Council for almost half a century.

Also addressing the summit, Turkey Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said: "If Turkey wins a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, this would do much to promote peace, security and stability all over the world".

Minister Babacan also assured his African counterparts that if Turkey secures a seat on the council, it will serve as the voice of African countries there.

South Africa and Turkey relations were well developed with diplomatic representation in both countries. South Africa is Turkey's largest trade partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

Turkey has increased its trade volume with African nations from around $5.4 billion to $13 billion in less then three years, and is targeting $30 billion by the end of 2010.

For Turkey in 2007, the top export products to South Africa included fuel, motor vehicles, tractors, sanitary products and household products.

In 2007 the top South African export products to Turkey consisted mainly of raw materials and semi-manufactured products, including gold, bituminous hard coal, catalytic converters, motor vehicles and automotive spare parts.

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