Turkey To Assume Important Role In Least Developed Countries, Diarra

UNITED NATIONS - A U.N. high representative said Turkey would assume an extremely important role in the least developed countries and Africa soon and expressed pleasure over assistance of Turkey.
In an exclusive interview with the A.A. correspondent, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, Cheick Sidi Diarra, suggested establishment of strategic partnership between Turkey and African countries and urged Turkish businessmen to invest in those countries.
Referring to U.N.'s Least Developed Countries Ministerial Conference that took place in Istanbul between July 9th and 11th, Diarra said the meeting explicated how globalization could operate in favor of the least developed countries, and the meeting assisted ministers of the least developed countries to access world markets.
Diarra said "emerging countries" like Turkey, China and India could share their experiences (in development) with the least developed countries, and establishment of "strong strategic partnerships" between them was very important.
The U.N. high representative said the less developed countries would be able to apply to Turkey's Permanent Representation to the U.N. and get assistance from Turkey's development fund to finance their tangible projects.
"This is an excellent gesture from Turkey to the countries in question," he said.
"Turkish businessmen should show interest in the least developed countries, particularly the African countries. Opening of ten new embassies in African countries is an important development. Separately, Turkish businessmen should be granted various incentives like tax reduction to make investments in Africa. Turkish markets should be opened to Turkish-African joint investment products. Africa is the market of the future," he told the A.A. correspondent.
Referring to Turkey's proposal to host 4th UN Least Developed Countries Conference scheduled for 2011, Diarra said the least developed countries would make the decision about the proposal.
(AY-MS)