PM Erdogan said that Turkey and Tunisia established a bilateral economic relationship based on strong foundation.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the Turkish-Tunisian Business Forum that Turkey and Tunisia established a bilateral economic relationship based on strong foundation.
Erdogan said that from now on the economic relations among Turkey and Tunisia would be maintained under the secretaries of ministers especially foreign ministers of both countries.
“We are establishing a strong economic relationship based on strong foundation. We are at the final stage of ending the custom duties between the two countries,” said Erdogan.
Erdogan said that Tunisia were also reducing the custom duties step by step; moreover, the custom duties would be ended for Turkish industry goods in June next year.
Erdogan also reminded that Turkey declared a 500 million USD financial support to Tunisia.
Erdogan stressed that Tunisia, with its intellectual young population, qualified workforce, strategic position opening to Africa, had opportunities as transit trade and logistics centre.
“I believe that our entrepreneurs will efficiently use these opportunities with their Tunisian counterparts,” said Erdogan.
-Turkey takes Tunisians’ side-
Prime Minister Erdogan underlined that achieving democracy and transformation is a demanding process which goes on such a long time and for which everyone should be patient.
“Our 400 years common history sustains to strengthen our relations,” said Erdogan.
-Trading volume to rise to 3 billion USD from a billion-
Erdogan said that trade volume among the two countries should rapidly rise to 3 billion USD from a billion. Compared to Erdogan’s statements, Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Laareydh pronounced the number “four” to increase the trading volume among the two countries.
Erdogan stressed that Turkish companies, which have global experience at construction sector, should be involved in the superstructure projects in the next term in Tunisia.
“Turkey is the second country at the construction sector after China in the world,” said Erdogan.
-Number of students should be up-
Erdogan underlined that 50 Tunisian students studied at the graduate and undergraduate schools in Turkey.
“The number of students should be mutually increased” said Erdogan.
-27 municipalities penned sister city protocol-
Erdogan pointed out to the sister city protocols among the 27 municipalities and said, “we have already been brothers, now our muncipalities have also been brothers, so from the brothership of real personality to legal personality.”
-Turkish companies have a 744 million USD investment in Tunisia-
Turkish Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan also made a speech at the business forum and said, “Turkish companies have a 744 million USD investment in Tunisia. Turkish businessmen have 25 billion USD in the world, and 6 billion of it is invested in Africa.”
Caglayan said that more investments would be made in Tunisia in the next term, and added, “We are ready to share our experience and fund of knowledge and also ready to open our trade markets to you.”
Erdogan met with Rashid Al-Gannushi
Erdogan visited Turkish Embassy in Tunisia, and met with Tunisian leader of Al-Nahda Movement Rashid Al-Gannushi.
Erdogan received information about the activities of Turkish Embassy from Turkish diplomats.
After the meeting with Al-Gannushi, Erdogan left Tunisia for Turkey.
