Arinc asked Uganda’s support for immediate launch of a free trade agreement between Turkey and East African Community which includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
Monday, 29 November 2010 14:34
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, who attended on Monday the meeting of Turkey-Uganda Joint Economic Committee in Kampala, said that Turkey aims to help eradicate poverty in Africa and carry out a joint sustainable development policy with African countries.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Arinc said that Turkey considers Uganda as a close friend despite the geographical distance.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid a visit to Uganda last May, Arinc recalled, and he said that Gul’s visit was an important sign of friendship between the two countries.
“I would like to underscore our eagerness and determination to improve commercial and economic relations,” Arinc told the meeting.
Arinc also said that Turkey’s new strategy towards Africa, launched in 2003 to enhance economic relations with African countries, aims at helping eliminate poverty in the continent and carry out a joint sustainable development policy together with African countries.
“Our strategy aims at full integration of Africa into global economy,” he said.
Turkey’s trade with Africa skyrocketed and grew by 200 percent after the new strategy, he reminded. Arinc added that Turkey’s investments in the continent was over $3 billion in 2009.
Arinc asked Uganda’s support for immediate launch of a free trade agreement between Turkey and East African Community which includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. He said such an agreement was key to improve economic relations.
On relations with Uganda, Arinc said that trade between the two countries grew by 10 times over the past seven years.
“However, this level is far away from the potential of the two countries,” he said.
“We can work together to increase mutual investments, and help Turkish construction firms carry out infrastructure and development projects in Uganda,” he added.
Uganda’s Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Kironda Kiwajinja, on his part, told the meeting that his country was a commercial hub for several countries in Africa. Pointing out the potential between the two countries, Kiwajinja said that better relations was very important for Uganda.
Kiwajinja also said that flights of Turkish Airlines to his country and Turkish schools in Uganda would help build better relations.
AA
Leave a Reply