Turkey's Ambassador to Zambia Sebnem Incesu
Turkey's Ambassador to Zambia Sebnem Incesu said the African country would like to see more Turkish investors.
In an exclusive interview to Anadolu Agency in the wake of the first Turkish presidential visit to Zambia, Incesu said the two countries had rapidly improved bilateral relations since the opening of the Turkish Embassy in Lusaka in 2011.
The Zambian Embassy in Ankara opened in 2013.
"Zambia closely monitors and appreciates Turkey's economic moves and its growing presence in Africa," she said.
The head of Turkey's state aid agency praises Africa's "great interest" in Turkey.Serdar Cam, head of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), joined the delegation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who arrived on Wednesday in Johannesburg to attend the BRICS summit."We are getting a great interest and affinity [in Africa] which we try to reciprocate," Cam told Anadolu Agency.Speaking about ongoing projects of TIKA on the African continent, Cam said that TIKA is in the process of opening a new office in Zambia.Stating that the fate of Somalia changed after Erdogan visited the country in 2011, Cam said that TIKA will continue to carry projects into effect.Twenty Turkish aid projects in last 6 months in S.AfricaTurkish institute brings Turkey, South Africa closerSpeaking about the TIKA's works, which are carried out across the continent, Cam recalled the first office of the agency which was opened in Ethiopia in 2005.Cam said that various projects were implemented through the nearly 25 offices across the continent."In every field, including agriculture, health, husbandry, education, strengthening infrastructure and government capacity, we are sharing all these experiences of our state," he said.Fight against FETÖCam said that Turkey's cooperation with African countries will increase and TIKA will continue to support development projects there.Speaking about the fight against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) -- the group behind the defeated coup attempt of July 2016 -- Cam said that Turkey is fighting the terrorist organization effectively with its institutions."Our institutions like TIKA, Maarif Foundation, Yunus Emre and YTB are working to contribute positively to this process by actively doing good work against this treacherous organization (FETÖ) which deceived the world for many years on the field," he said.Established in 1992, Turkey's government-run aid agency is responsible for implementing Turkey's developmental cooperation policies overseas. The agency carries out development cooperation activities in 170 countries via its 62 program coordination offices in 59 countries across five continents.
Turkish aid agency cheers Africa's interest in Turkey
Incesu said that Zambia has great potential in economic terms with its rich underground and overland resources, agricultural areas, young population, and high urbanization rate.
"Zambian authorities expect more bilateral economic and trade relations to be developed with investment focus and create added value and employment," Incesu said.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the trade volume between Turkey and Zambia in 2017 was $21.8 million.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday arrived in Johannesburg to attend the BRICS summit.Erdoğan, who arrived at 9.55 p.m. local time (1955 GMT), was welcomed by South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and Turkey's Ambassador to South Africa Elif Comoglu Ulgen at the OR Tambo International Airport.The BRICS regional bloc is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, countries that share over 20 percent of the global economy and contribute around 17 percent to international trade.Turkish president to visit Zambia on July 28The Turkish president is accompanied by his wife Emine Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Treasury anf Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, and two lawmakers from Justice and Development (AK) Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).The 10th summit started on Wednesday and will end on Friday.Erdoğan’s attendance at the summit will serve as the first high-level contact between Turkey and the BRICS bloc.Turkish envoy hails strong relations with South AfricaOn the sidelines of the summit, Erdoğan will also hold bilateral talks with the leaders of all BRICS member states and other invited leaders.He will also meet Turkish community in South Africa, as well as prominent businesspeople and opinion leaders of Muslim community.Turkish president will also open the new building of Turkish Embassy.
Erdoğan arrives in Johannesburg to attend BRICS summit
Turkish export to Zambia was worth $16.6 million while its import from Zambia was worth $5.2 million, the figures of the ministry says.
"Turkish investors are not yet fully aware of the Zambian market," said the envoy, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's upcoming visit to the country had already increased attention to the bilateral and economic relations.
Erdoğan will pay an official visit to Zambia on July 28.
As part of his visit, Erdoğan will meet Zambian President Edgar Lungu to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international developments.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be visiting the Republic of Zambia on Saturday on the invitation of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.According to a statement from Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Erdoğan will arrive in Zambia on July 28.The upcoming visit is expected to further strengthen the existing relations and cooperation between Zambia and Turkey in numerous sectors.Turkish envoy hails strong relations with South Africa“Turkey has one of the largest and fastest growing economies which has made major strides in its socio-economic development agenda."Turkey is also a leading member of the EU Customs Union and the G-20. In addition, Turkey has continued to contribute significantly to various United Nations programs as well as several international and regional organizations," the statement read.The visit will mark the first Turkish presidential visit to Zambia.Erdoğan: Iran is both our neighbour and strategic partnerErdoğan and his Zambian counterpart Lungu will discuss mutual and multilateral matters such as Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Reform of the UN Security Council.The ministry has also stated the two leaders will discuss peace and security in the region particularly and the Continent in general."Turkey has an active role in promoting regional stability through its membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Zambia’s membership to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and also the country’s impending assumption of the Chair to the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defense and Security in August 2018," it said.
Turkish president to visit Zambia on July 28