Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD) Chairman Mahmut Asmalı stated that the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and African countries reached 33.1 billion dollars in 2022 and said, "We wholeheartedly believe that the economic relations between the two countries will continue to increase in the coming years." he said.

Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD) organized the African Ambassadors Summit at Ankara African Culture House, whose activities were supported under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan. The program was attended by almost all of the African Ambassadors in Turkey. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız also attended.

MÜSİAD Chairman Mahmut Asmalı stated that the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and African countries reached 33.1 billion dollars in 2022 and said, "We wholeheartedly believe that the economic relations between the two countries will continue to increase in the coming years." said.

Pointing out that the idea of ​​opening an African Cultural Association was formed in 2016 as a concrete outcome of this close interest, Asmalı stated that the association has continued its activities since then.

Asmalı stated that MÜSİAD carries out programs for Africa and stated that they will increase the number of branches and representatives in 15 different countries in Africa to 25 by the end of 2024.

Reminding that they continue the MÜSİAD EXPO fair without interruption, Asmalı said, "Many businessmen from Africa are also participating in this fair. We aim to organize the African Business Forum in Nigeria with large participation next year. Subsequently, we will organize the international expansion of MÜSİAD Expo for the first time in 2025." "We want to perform it in Africa." he said.

Asmalı stated that they are working to develop diplomatic and commercial relations with African countries, and that these efforts will continue increasingly in the coming days.

Giving information about the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and African countries, Asmalı said, "While it was an average of 20 billion dollars annually in the 2013-2020 period, it increased to 29.4 billion dollars in 2021 and 33.1 billion dollars in 2022. However, the volume of projects undertaken by Turkish companies "It has grown rapidly and reached the level of 77.8 billion dollars in Africa. We wholeheartedly believe that the economic relations between the two countries will continue to increase in the coming years." he said.

In his speech at the "African Ambassadors Summit" program held at the African Handicrafts and Culture House, Asmalı said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan have a close interest in Africa. 

"Africa is a candidate to be the rising power of the new world"

Pointing out that 20 percent of the world's surface area is made up of the African continent, 60 percent of arable areas and 30 percent of mineral reserves are located on this continent, Asmalı said:

"The African continent is at the forefront in the world, with its population estimated to reach 3 billion in 2050, especially its young population. When we evaluate it in this respect, Africa is a candidate to be the rising power of the new world. However, despite these riches, the world has only 3 percent of global trade. Moreover, "African countries bear 25 percent of the global disease burden."

Asmalı stated that they want to continue with increasing momentum the "win-win" approach that Turkey has adopted towards African countries in the last 20 years, and added: "We always stand by our state in order to continue this important effort." said.