South Africa's Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies arrived in Turkey on an official visit to strengthen ties between the two countries. Davies together with Turkish Minister of Economy, Zafer Caglayan, are scheduled to address the South Africa-Turkish Business Forum that will be held tomorrow in Istanbul.
The Business Forum will include break-away sessions and business to business meetings between South Africa’s and Turkish business people.
On Thursday Minister Davies will co-chair the second session of the Turkey-South Africa Joint Economic Commission (JEC), which promotes trade, investment and economic co-operation between the two countries.
Currently economic relations between the two countries are governed by the South Africa-Turkey JEC. The JEC was established in accordance with Article 11 of the "Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Turkey". The first session of SA-Turkey JEC took place in Pretoria four years ago (from the 31 March to 2 April 2008).
At the end of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting, a communiqué will be signed which will outline the plan on further expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation between South Africa and Turkey.
South Africa's traditional exports to Turkey are primarily sourced from the mining sector and consist of mineral products, as well as base metals and article of base contributing 56% and 13% respectively towards total exports.
Turkey's major exports into South Africa includes non-traditional products such as machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment (25% of total imports) and Vehicles, aircraft and associated products (11%).
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-(Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
