The recent virtual bilateral summits between India, Sri Lanka and Denmark showcase India’s commitment for a more inclusive and cooperative governance system. Amidst pandemic, India is taking a virtual diplomacy route.
December 13, 2019: Turkey is establishing trade and logistics centres in Africa to expand its commercial operations on the continent, Turkey’s trade minister Ruhsar Pekcan stated.
Addressing a consultation meeting of African Business Councils under Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK), Pekcan said, “We are founding trade centres in the destinations we have previously determined.
Turkey has embassies in 42 countries and commercial counsellors in 26 countries on the African continent.
Turkey and African countries’ bilateral trade rose $23.8 billion in 2018 from $5.5 billion in 2003, while Turkey’s exports jumped by 579 percent to $14.4 billion in the same period, according to Pekcan.
But $14 billion in exports is too low of a figure for the large African continent, she said, urging Turkey to increase target-oriented efforts in Africa amid rising global protectionist policies.
Apart from bilateral trade, Turkish companies also operate on the continent in miscellaneous areas including textile, energy, construction, tourism and manufacturing.
