Nesrin Bayazit
The Embassy of Turkey in Ghana has announced plans to expand trade relations between the two countries in the shortest possible time.
According to the Turkey’s Ambassador to Ghana, H. E Nesrin Bayazit, the two countries have enjoyed mutually beneficial trade relations within the last 60 years in areas such as mining, transport and many other sectors.
- E Bayazit said the trade volume between the two countries was as high as $450m in 2016, with Turkey looking to build on its trade with Ghana.
She said “for the short term we are looking at $1bn in trade volume.”
- E Bayazit made these assertions when she launched the Helgard Travel & Tours Faith Tourism to Turkey and Botswana in Accra.
She said Turkey would ensure that both countries promote businesses.
Madam Bayazit affirmed that Turkish products were of good quality at competitive prices, stating that the business opportunities must be beneficial to both countries.
“It should not be a one-way business relationship, it should be mutual. I would like to see more balanced relationships. Turkey is a free country with many business opportunities,” she said.
She said she would love to see more Ghanaians visit Turkey since 35 million tourist visited Turkey last year.
“Our homeland has been blessed richly with major holy sites of the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, therefore Turkey has a rich collection of churches, monasteries, synagogues, and of course beautiful mosque,” she pointed out.
She said people would be surprised to know many Christians visit major pilgrimage venues in Turkey, including the seven churches of the book of Revelations and John.
Mr. Thomas Okyere, Botswana Honorary Consul encouraged the business community in Ghana to take advantage of Botswana’s diamonds, beef, quality cow feet, soda ash for glass making and leather and artifacts.
“Ghanaians are quite entrepreneurial and can bring on board their skills and begin to trade,” he said.
He observed that Botswana is a country with zero tolerance for corruption with efficiency in processing documents.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri