Nail Olpak, Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), said, “In the last 18 years, the political trust between Turkey and African countries has moved to a much higher level. Since 18 years, Turkey’s bilateral trade volume with African countries has increased 4 times.” said.
A webinar (webinar) on “A Multilateral Response to the COVID-19 Crisis: Turkey-Africa Partnership” was organized by DEIK/Turkey-Africa Business Councils.
Speaking at the seminar, Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) Chairman Nail Olpak stated that despite the developments during the COVID-19 process, as DEİK, they kept communication open as much as possible, continued to be an important resource for interest, support and guidance and coordinated business development activities.
Stating that the rise of Africa is important not only for Turkey but also for the whole world, Olpak noted that Turkey, as a strategic partner, is one of the biggest driving forces for the expansion and support of African integration at the international level.
He said he was among the powers that be.
Stating that DEİK has undertaken the role of catalyst to further strengthen Turkey’s trade, economic and cultural ties with Africa through bilateral business council mechanisms, Olpak stated that they carry out studies in 45 African countries with nearly 50 partner institutions.
“Bilateral trade volume with African countries increased 4 times”
Pointing out that Turkey continues its policy of strengthening equality, transparency and sustainability in connection with its win-win policy in Africa, Olpak said, “In the last 18 years, the political trust between Turkey and African countries has moved to a much higher level. Since 18 years, Turkey’s bilateral trade volume with African countries has increased 4 times.” he said.
“Turkey offered all the help it could during the COVID-19 process”
Reminding that the total number of people going to Africa from Turkey has doubled in the last 18 years, and the total number of people coming from Africa to Turkey has increased 4 times, Olpak said, “Turkey has offered all its help during the COVID-19 process. Not only the government, but also the representatives of the Turkish private sector operating in Africa started the production of this mask and other protective equipment, and made donations to the foundation and the fund. As global societies, there are lessons we have learned from this COVID-19 pandemic. One of them is the development of internal capacities. As DEİK, we will continue to support the continent’s integration efforts. We will increase our investments in Africa after the COVID-19 outbreak. Turkey’s investments in Africa are very diverse.” made its assessment.
“The service sector in Africa will lose 20-25 billion dollars in general”
Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reminded that the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the economies of African countries is mostly in the service sector and that the service sector in Africa is mostly composed of areas such as airline services, tourism, and the hotel industry.
Mene emphasized that the service sector in Africa will experience a loss of 20-25 billion dollars in general and said:
“This is a very significant factor, of course. Many countries around the world have suffered economic losses. When we look at our trade partners, 53 percent of our exports go to Europe and China. Considering the situation of these countries, due to the slowdown in economic activities after this epidemic, Africa has a great impact. will have a negative impact. Our export market has been severely affected. Thanks to the stimulus packages in Africa, it is anticipated that we will promote and increase trade between African countries and put ourselves in a position of growth year after year. Accelerating industrial development, increasing our manufacturing capacity, supplying We need to diversify our chain and diversify our export markets.”
“The value of the projects carried out by Turkish contractors in Africa exceeded 65 billion dollars”
Hüsnü Dilemre, Director General of International Agreements and European Union at the Ministry of Commerce, stated that Turkey always sees Africa as an important partner and that the development of economic relations with Africa is a part of Turkey’s commercial diplomacy.
Dilemre stated that Turkey’s trade volume with Africa, which was 5.3 billion dollars in 2003, has now increased to 20 billion dollars, adding that Turkey’s investments in Africa have exceeded 6 billion dollars.
Reminding that the value of the projects carried out by Turkish contractors in Africa exceeds 65 billion dollars, Dilemre said:
“Turkey’s institutional presence in Africa ranks alongside France, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and Russia. We aim to facilitate cross-border trade as much as possible. Although limitations are put in place to contain the pandemic. These restrictions should not limit trade or penalize business.”
Trade and Development Bank Senior Manager Admassu Tadesse stated that although resources in African countries are decreasing, there are other resources that are strong.
Tadesse stated that the agricultural sector in African countries is going well and they have been providing intensive financing for fertilizer imports since January.
Noting that the mining and oil industry has been dealt a serious blow, Tadesse said, “As the Trade and Development Bank, we are in constant contact with our multilateral funders. In times like these, partnerships are very important. All engagements have been implemented.” said.
