ISTANBUL - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Monday that he estimated trade volume between Turkey and African countries to be 19 billion USD this year.
Speaking at a dinner held within the scope of Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit, Tuzmen said Turkish government initiated "Africa Strategy" in 2003, adding that, "Turkey's trade with this continent was 5 billion USD when we first initiated this strategy."
"We implemented the right strategy and we achieved 13 billion USD in 2007. I estimate trade volume to be 19 billion USD this year."
Separately, Rifat Hisarciklioglu, chairperson of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), said Turkish-African Business Forum helped improvement of economic relations between Turkey and Africa.
(AY)
(ECO)