South Africa and Turkey to boost bilateral trade

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa

South Africa and Turkey have agreed to place their bilateral relations at the level of a Binational Commission (BNC), President Jacob Zuma’s office said in a statement on Monday.

The decision was reached on Sunday after President Jacob Zuma held bilateral talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Antalya, Turkey.

“The two leaders agreed to structure the relations between the countries at the BNC level, with the commission to be chaired by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on the South African side and his counterpart on the Turkish side,” the statement said.

Erdogan and Zuma also agreed to improve the already strong economic, social and political relations, between the two countries, especially in the area of advancing trade and cooperation.

Trade between Turkey and South Africa is already booming. Trade volume between the two countries rose to $13.4 billion in 2014, up from $4.9 billion in 2010.

President Zuma also congratulated President Erdogan on the success of the Turkish Presidency of the G20 which ensured that under Turkish leadership, development was placed at the centre of the G20 work.

The South African leader also welcomed the fact that the G20 had put Africa’s development on the agenda with the focus on energy.

"We think that Turkey has set a good foundation for this new trajectory for the G20 which, if handled correctly, will contribute to a better world," said President Zuma.

During their meeting both leaders condemned the Paris attacks and all forms of terrorism wherever they exist in the world.

The leader of Africa’s most advanced economy also offered condolences on behalf of his country to Turkey following last month’s bomb explosions that took place in Ankara.