ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Trade Undersecretary Tuncer Kayalar will visit Mauritania between May 23rd and 26th within the scope of Turkey's strategy to develop economic relations with Africa.
Foreign Trade Undersecretariat stated on Friday that Kayalar will be separately received by the Mauritanian President and Prime Minister during his visit. Kayalar will also have meetings with Mauritanian ministers of trade, economy and petroleum as well as chairman of Mauritanian Chamber of Industry and Trade and businessmen.
Parties will discuss ways of increasing trade volume between Turkey and Mauritania, promotion studies, fishery, mining, exploration and production of oil, ship construction, contractor and consultancy, finance, joint investment, industry, small and medium scale enterprises, technical assistance and training. They will also sign a cooperation agreement on trade, economy and technique between Turkey and Mauritania.
Turkish officials will present a draft agreement on free trade to Mauritania.
Foreign trade volume between the two countries was 10 million USD in 2004. Amount of exports from Turkey to Mauritania is targeted to be 16 million USD in 2005.
Last year, significant oil and natural gas reserves were found in Mauritania. Thus, Mauritanian economy is expected to grow by at least 10 percent annually as of 2006, making the country an important center in Africa.
(GC-MS)
2005-05-20