Turkey:  Ethiopian envoy calls for more Turkish investments === == ==

 

Relations between Turkey and Ethiopia can be described as excellent, Ayalew Gobezie, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Turkey, said on Tuesday.

Ambassador Ayalew told Anadolu Agency that the Turkish government “does not exploit Africa but supports the African people”.

In an exclusive interview in the Turkish capital Ankara, the ambassador thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government for supporting stronger ties between the two countries.

“The Turkish government has principles for its diplomatic relations: win-win, not to exploit but to support the African people and African development. We also share this perspective,” he said.

Ambassador Ayalew underlined the deep roots of ties between Turkey and Ethiopia, which go all the way back to the Ottoman Empire.

“Turkey and Ethiopia have had bilateral relations more than 100 years. Today the relations between our two countries can be described as excellent, both politically and economically.”

Turkey and Ethiopia are key economic partners in many areas. Trade cooperation between the two countries is on the rise. Turkish firms continue to invest in various sectors in the country.

“A Turkish company is building a 386-kilometer [250 mile] railway with a $1.7 billion budget, which will be hopefully completed in the next two years,” Ambassador Ayalew said.

“In addition, Turkish companies’ investments are worth a total of nearly $3 billion. More than 100 Turkish companies are doing business here, and they have created more than 10,000 jobs,” he said.

“Our trade volume is also growing and has now reached almost $450 million. Our aim to boost it to $1 billion in the next five years,” he added.

“There is an integrated approach by the government of Turkey and Turkish businessmen to bring development to Ethiopia. President Erdogan has visited Ethiopia three times since 2005. His last visit was in 2015. He is currently in Africa again, visiting Sudan, Chad and Tunisia,” said the ambassador.

“We want to improve our economic diplomacy through companies and businesspeople. We invite Turkish investors and entrepreneurs to come and invest in Ethiopia. We have industry parks ready for them. It’s easy and profitable to do business in our country.”

They can invest in the manufacturing sector, for example — textile, garment and construction are the leading sectors,” Ambassador Ayalew said.

Source: Anadolu Agency