Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the Turkey – Republic of South Africa Business Forum, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that as the map of competition changes, so does the center of gravity of the world economy.

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that new opportunities were emerging for market economies on the rise, like Turkey and South Africa, and that their economic weights were increasing.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “We, as the Turkish private sector, believe that commerce bring peace and prosperity. This is why we want to increase our economic relations with every part of the world. In this regard we give special consideration to continental Africa. Because we believe in the future of Africa, we see it as our partner.

I believe that we should be cooperating in trade more as two G20 countries. As a result of our Africa campaign, our mutual trade volumes have increased. Our trade volumes with each other, which were 4 billion dollars in 2000 have increased to16 billion as of the end of 2010.

Our trade volume with the Republic of South Africa in 2010 was 1.2 billion dollars. We believe that we can do better. We believe that with vision, we can increase our trade volume with Africa to 30 billion dollars in the short term. To accomplish this we must trade more and increase our competitive power in the world market. We must deepen our economic relations and conduct diversified cooperation.”

Stating that the level bilateral investment relations and dynamism between business worlds should be increased, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the forum has brought together almost 100 South African and 85 Turkish businessmen.

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As two rising market economies, we should bring together the complimentary aspects of our economies and realize projects with higher added value. As the Turkish private sector, we want to strengthen our economic bonds and turn cooperation opportunities into tangible projects with the principle of win-win in mind.”

Emphasizing that the trade and investment opportunities can be increased between the two countries can be increased; Hisarcıklıoğlu mentioned the success enjoyed by the Turkish industrialists abroad.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated, “South African firms can use Turkey as a logistics base. The markets within 3 hours of flight from Turkey have volume total of 9 trillion dollars. Come and take your place in Turkey’s future. However there is an obstacle in increasing the investment and trade volume of the two countries. The lack of an open trade agreement. If we were to sign an open trade agreement, the people of both countries would benefit from it. We await the removal of this obstruction to trade. We also urge the approval of the encouragement and preservation of bilateral investment by the Republic of South Africa in the shortest time possible.”

 - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his wishes that this meeting would result beneficially for the cooperation between the two countries.

Expressing his, his country’s and his nation’s gratitude for the wonderful reception since stepping foot in this rare and wonderful country, Prime Minister Erdoğan stated that he’d previously visited the Rainbow Nation in 2005 on the invitation of the President of the Republic Zuma, who then held the office of Vice President.

Erdoğan said, “It is very gratifying to us to witness the dynamism and progress displayed by the Republic of South Africa and to be together with her people. I would like it to be known that, we do not feel as though we are in a foreign country here but in a friendly country with many similar qualities. Our bilateral talks with Motlanthe and committee meetings have been very productive as a result.

I would like to thank you again for your courtesy, hospitality and well reception. The world is undergoing change and the value of Africa is increasing. Even those who regarded Africa, a country inflicted with much pain and injustice in its past, as a historical burden for years now closely watch the enterprises enacted by the continent today.

Unfortunately, Africa is still beset by conflicts, sickness and famine in many regions and it pains us to see it so.”

Touching on his visit to Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Prime Minister Erdoğan said, “I was the first foreign government head to visit Mogadishu in years. It is impossible to describe the heart wrenching scenes we witnessed there.”

Relating how Turkey has once again shown its solidarity with African nations in Somalia, Prime Minister Erdoğan said, “Turkey has mobilized with its government and people to help the people of Somalia. The civil society’s total donations to the aid campaign we started for Somalia has exceeded 300 million dollars as well as sending aid in kind totaling a value of 30 million. We have invited the Muslim world and the whole international community to be more sensitive to the tragedy being lived out in Somalia.”

Prime Minister Erdoğan said, “As we have said on many occasions, I would like to emphasize one thing: Humanity owes Africa and it is the shared responsibility of all humanity to repay this debt. As Turkey, we act with this in mind and have increased momentum to our relations with Africa in recent years.”

Relating that 2005 was declared “Year of Africa” in Turkey, Prime Minister Erdoğan stated that thanks to the “Turkey – Africa Cooperation Summit” held in Istanbul in August, 2008 relations have found firmer ground, Erdoğan went on, “We have identified shared goals for the future ranging from; trade to investment, rural development to agriculture, energy to transportation. We have come to visit with 125 businessmen so that they may conduct talks with each other in regards to sectors and invest in Africa, Turkey or third countries.”

Erdoğan stated that the spread of businessmen, investors, contractors and various civil society organizations to the four corners of Africa is one of the goals of their Africa policies, said, “But this isn’t all of it. We expect them to settle down and provide us with more information regarding the continent. I would like to proudly state that Africa is no longer the name of some far away foreign land for the people of Turkey. We see friendship when we look at Africa. We rejoice with Africa just as much as we share the pain and sadness like we did in Somalia. For us, Africa isn’t a seasonal business partner but an eternal friend. Seeing that these feelings are not unrequited throughout Africa gives us great happiness and joy.”

- Vice President of the Republic of South Africa Motlanthe

Vice President of the Republic of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe said that Turkey is a gate that opens on to Europe.

Pointing out that Turkey has a huge trade potential, Motlanthe said, “We must develop the partnership between the two countries. There are wonderful opportunities. We must take steps which will benefit both of us. The two countries should cooperate in the fields of exports and investment. Mining, tourism, commerce and defense industry come up as areas cooperation. South Africa is a production base. The country has an open economy. There is a competitive industry. We have natural resources. The logistics system is robust. Our financial system is consistent.

Working together, the Republic of South Africa and Turkey may benefit their nations. Possibilities should be looked into regarding customs taxes. This matter should be attended swiftly for the benefit of both. I believe that we can surmount any difficulty if we work together.”
​