MÜSİAD President Mahmut Asmalı shared his assessments at the 6th WCI World Inter-Sectoral Cooperation Forum on the subject of "Cooperation for Global Success in the African Market". Sharing MÜSİAD's regional work, President Asmalı stated that Türkiye-Africa relations are growing stronger.

Mahmut Asmalı, President of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD), shared his assessments at the 6th World Cooperation Industries Forum (WCI Forum) World Inter-Sectoral Cooperation Forum, organized with the theme "Cooperation for Global Success in the African Market". Sharing MÜSİAD's regional work, President Asmalı stated that Türkiye-Africa relations are growing stronger.

"Africa is the future, the future is Africa"

Touching also on the historical ties between the African region and Türkiye, President Asmalı pointed out that trade between Türkiye and the region is increasing with each passing day. Expressing that they see Africa as an important region for winning together and developing together, President Asmalı said: "We believe that Africa is the future and that the future lies in Africa":

"Our perspective for Africa will be to win together, to develop together, to grow together and to increase the prosperity of our peoples together. Because we regard the African countries, with which our historical relations are very deep and rooted, as our close neighbours and friends. We believe that Africa is the future and that the future lies in Africa. As MÜSİAD, we believe that the Turkish economy will exceed its export target of USD 250 billion in 2023, particularly with the increase in services exports. We even anticipate that this figure may rise to the level of USD 300 billion. To this end, within the scope of the special research we carried out with MÜSİAD member exporters, we have determined three basic strategies: to place emphasis on strategies aimed at exporting high value-added, high-technology products; to focus on overseas logistics centres and strengthen every kind of infrastructure process in this scope; and lastly, to support e-exports and micro-exports... For our exports to record a permanent increase, for us to acquire the quality of a country with a foreign trade surplus and for sustainable growth, we are a candidate for all possible new export markets, from Europe to America and from Asia to Africa."

"Turkish companies have undertaken more than 1150 projects on the African continent"

Referring to the fact that the WCI Forum strengthens cooperation between Turkish and African business people, President Asmalı listed the projects Türkiye is carrying out in the region. Saying "As of 2021, Turkish companies have undertaken more than 1150 projects worth USD 70 billion on the African continent", President Asmalı used the expressions "Our relations with African countries are deepening and the grounds for cooperation are getting stronger and stronger":

"Within the scope of the WCI Forum, the 6th World Inter-Sectoral Cooperation Forum, coming together with 200 company representatives from Türkiye and more than 500 business people from 41 countries that make up more than 80 percent of Africa's population will, at this point, open the door to new cooperation for our country. In order to take a wider place at every stage of the supply chain in African markets with our value-added products, we will diversify and increase our investments. With its population approaching 1.5 billion and its import potential pushing USD 1 trillion annually, Africa draws attention as one of the most strategic targets of countries in search of new markets. In terms of investment vision, a win-win approach and the establishment of new cooperation, Türkiye is in a much stronger position than rival countries such as China, the EU Countries, India, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, thanks to its strong and positive brand perception. For instance, as of 2021 Turkish companies have undertaken more than 1150 projects worth USD 70 billion on the African continent. In the diplomacy league of the continent, where 43 of our embassies are active, we are the fourth country with the most embassies in Africa after the USA, China and France. As effective actors of multi-track diplomacy, we too will contribute more to peace, cooperation and stability on the continent by placing trade diplomacy at the centre. The fact that Turkish Airlines operates regular flights to 61 destinations in 41 countries of Africa also brings a different dynamism to the foreign trade relations between Türkiye and Africa. In the early 2000s we used to say “Hello Africa”. Now, our relations with African countries are deepening and the grounds for cooperation are getting stronger and stronger."

Türkiye-Africa trade volume is rising

Stating in his speech at the programme that Türkiye's regional efforts have a direct effect on trade volume, President Asmalı said, "In the near future I hope that the trade volume between Türkiye and Africa will rise, with our joint efforts, first to USD 50 billion and then to USD 75 billion". The President of MÜSİAD continued his remarks as follows:

"I believe that the 6th World Inter-Sectoral Cooperation Forum, in which important figures from Africa will participate, will demonstrate in the most effective way the value-added production vision that Türkiye possesses. I would like to recall once again here the following words of our President, who has paid more than 50 visits to 30 countries in Africa: In Africa we are not leaving, and will not leave, a single friend whose door has not been knocked on, a single heart whose wound has not been bound, or a single country with which cooperation has not been established. Our trade volume with Africa was USD 5.4 billion; today it has exceeded USD 30 billion. The investments of Turkish companies, which provide employment for 25 thousand of our African brothers and sisters on the continent, have reached USD 6 billion. In the near future I hope that the trade volume between Türkiye and Africa will rise, with our joint efforts, first to USD 50 billion and then to USD 75 billion."