Turkey, Senegal set mid-term trade goal of $1 billion

DAKAR

Turkey and the West African country of Senegal have set a target to increase their bilateral trade volume to $1 billion.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in Senegal on Tuesday said his country attaches immense significance to improving relations with the West African country.

"We attach importance to improving our relations with Senegal, which is both a significant partner and valuable friend. We had previously set trade targets of $250 and $400 million. We are now eying ambitious $1 billion target in mid-term following Tuesday's talks,” he said while addressing the Turkey-Senegal Business forum.

The conclave was held at Senegal’s presidential complex with the participation of the country’s President Macky Sall and various corporate luminaries.

He also said that only African people can find the best solutions to the issues confronting Africa and do not need the guidance of imperialist powers. "We believe that the best solutions to the issues of Africa would be developed by our African brothers," he said.

"A development initiative not supported or pioneered by businesspeople has no chance of reaching its development goals," Erdogan said.

He added that corporate captains cooperating with the Turkish state have played a significant role in the country's development in the past 17 years.

"We want to improve our bilateral trade relations through a balanced manner based on a win-win formula," Erdogan said. "Turkish and Senegalese economies have complementary features."

Erdogan noted that Turkey - a G20 member and important regional economic power - was a potential market for Senegalese producers.

Senegal offers cooperation in hydrocarbon sector

Stating that Senegal had great potential for the Turkish business world, Erdogan went on to say that Turkish Airlines (THY) was planning to increase the number of flights to the country in a bid to contribute to economic ties.

Erdogan went on to say that Dakar's Blaise Diagne International Airport was the first build-operate-transfer project held by Turkish companies in Africa, and said Turkish architects would also realize important projects including Abdou Diouf Congress Hall and its hotels and Dakar Arena Stadium.

Erdogan said Turkish companies have taken part in a total of 29 projects in Senegal worth $775 million thanks to the support of Senegalese president. He emphasized that the success of previous projects paved the way for more initiatives.

President Macky Sall said Senegal would be an important actor producing oil and gas and offered his government’s cooperation with Turkey in the field of hydrocarbon sources.

Sall said Turkish companies played role in construction projects including airport, sports center, shopping mall, hotel, congress center, and railway project and noted Senegal's doors were open to anyone willing to work based on win-win policy.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas