Mahmut Asmalı, President of MUSIAD, made evaluations at the 6th WCI World Intersectoral Cooperation Forum on "Cooperation for Global Success in the African Market". President Asmalı, who shared the regional works of MUSIAD, stated that Turkey-Africa relations are getting stronger and growing.

Mahmut Asmalı, Chairman of the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), made evaluations at the 6th World Cooperation Industries Forum (WCI Forum) World Intersectoral Cooperation Forum, organized with the theme of "Cooperation for Global Success in the African Market". President Asmalı, who shared the regional works of MUSIAD, stated that Turkey-Africa relations are getting stronger and growing.

"The Future is Africa"

Mentioning the historical ties between the African region and Turkey, Chairman Asmalı pointed out that the trade between Turkey and the region is increasing day by day. President Asmalı stated that they see Africa as an important region to win together and develop together, and said, "We believe that Africa will come and the future is in Africa."

"Our perspective for Africa will be to win together, develop together, grow together and increase the welfare of our people together. Because we consider African countries with which we have deep and deep-rooted historical relations as our close neighbors and friends. We believe that Africa is the future and the future is in Africa. MUSIAD We believe that the Turkish economy will exceed the export target of 250 billion dollars, especially with the increase in service exports, in 2023. We even foresee that this figure will reach the level of 300 billion dollars. For this, we have determined three basic strategies within the scope of the special research we conducted with MUSIAD member exporters: Value-added, high-tech Focusing on strategies for the export of products, focusing on foreign logistics centers, strengthening all kinds of infrastructure processes in this context, and finally supporting e-export and micro-exports... The permanent increase in our exports, a country with foreign trade surplus for our quality and sustainable growth; We aspire to all possible new export markets from Europe to America, from Asia to Africa."

"Turkish companies undertook more than 1150 projects in the African continent"

Referring to the WCI Forum's strengthening of cooperation between Turkish and African business people, Chairman Asmalı listed the projects carried out by Turkey in the region. President Asmalı said, "As of 2021, Turkish companies have undertaken more than 1,150 projects worth 70 billion dollars in the African continent," and added, "Our relations with African countries are gaining depth and cooperation grounds are getting stronger."

"Coming together with 200 company representatives from Turkey and over 500 business people from 41 countries that make up more than 80 percent of the African population, within the scope of the WCI Forum, the 6th World Intersectoral Cooperation Forum, will open the door to new collaborations for our country at this point. We will diversify and increase our investments in order to take a wider place in African markets with our value-added products at every stage of the supply chain.With a population of 1.5 billion and an annual import potential of over 1 trillion dollars, Africa stands out as one of the most strategic targets of countries in search of new markets. With its strong and positive brand perception, Turkey has a much stronger position than rival countries such as China, EU Countries, India, United Arab Emirates, South Korea in terms of investment vision, win-win approach and establishing new collaborations. Turkish companies undertake more than 1150 projects worth 70 billion dollars in the African continent. now. In the diploma league of the continent where our 43 embassies are active; We are the fourth country with the most embassies in Africa, after the USA, China and France. As active actors of multi-track diplomacy, we will contribute more to peace, cooperation and stability in the continent by putting trade diplomacy at the center. The fact that Turkish Airlines provides regular flights to 61 destinations in 41 countries in Africa adds a different dynamism to the foreign trade relations between Turkey and Africa. In the early 2000s, we were saying "Hello Africa". Now, our relations with African countries are deepening and cooperation grounds are getting stronger.

Turkey-Africa trade volume rises

Expressing that Turkey's regional efforts directly affect the trade volume in his speech at the program, President Asmalı said, "I hope that the trade volume between Turkey and Africa will increase to 50 billion dollars and then to 75 billion dollars in the near future, with our joint efforts." The President of MUSIAD continued his words as follows:

"I believe that the 6th World Inter-Sectoral Cooperation Forum, which will be attended by important names from Africa, will most effectively demonstrate Turkey's vision of value-added production.

I would like to remind you once again the words of our businessman: We are not knocked on the door, friends, wounds are not healed, hearts are not healed, we are not leaving a country without cooperation, we will not leave. While our trade volume with Africa was 5.4 billion dollars, it has exceeded 30 billion dollars today. The investments of Turkish companies, which provide employment to 25 thousand African brothers on the continent, reached 6 billion dollars. I hope that in the near future, the trade volume between Turkey and Africa will increase to 50 billion dollars and then to 75 billion dollars, with our joint efforts."