The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
INDUSTRY and Commerce Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza will this week lead a delegation of Government officials, parliamentarians and captains of industry to Ankara for the Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum.
The delegation, which leaves on Tuesday, is set to use the two-day event running between October 21-22 to scout for new opportunities.
In an interview, Turkish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Hakan Kivanc said the forum — organised by the Turkish government and the Africa Union — is a chance to enhance co-operation in business, economics and investment.
“This is going to be a fruitful forum for everyone, as it allows interaction between Turkish and Zimbabwean government officials. There is also a chance for the private sector from Zimbabwe to interface with the Turkish business community, where they can establish relations and partnerships,” said Ambassador Kivanc.
The Africa Continental Free Trade Area, the post-Covid-19 business environment and agriculture will be part of the agenda at the summit.
“There is a business delegation formed by members of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, we hope they will be able to explore opportunities in Turkey.
“We are hopeful that the forum will see the growth of official trade figures between the two countries, which are low at the moment.
“The figures do not reflect the real potential of the two markets,” said Ambassador Kivanc.
Of late, Turkey has become a destination of choice for many Zimbabwean businesses in the clothing industry.
Chimanimani East legislator and Parliamentary Committee on Industry and International Trade chairperson, Mr Joshua Sacco, who will be travelling to Ankara, is optimistic the trip will have tangible outcomes.
“In July, we went to Turkey, I was part of the Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda’s delegation. From that visit, we are already seeing outcomes such as the Turkish company (Yapi Merkezi), which is working with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ),” said Mr Sacco.
Turkey is one of the countries that accepted Zimbabwe with open arms when Harare decided to pursue an engagement and re-engagement agenda immediately after the birth of the Second Republic.
