DEIK President Olpak stated that Africa is important for the Turkish business world and said, “There are 54 countries, 45 of them have mutual business councils. The fact that our embassies and THY have flights in those countries encourages Turkish business people a lot.”
Nail Olpak, Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), who participated in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, of which Anadolu Agency is the “Global Communication Partner”, made evaluations to the AA correspondent.
Explaining that not only political issues but also the economy were discussed at the forum, Olpak stated that very productive meetings were held in terms of the economic world. Olpak said, “We used to see diplomacy as a political activity. In fact, diplomacy is an indispensable part of our lives. Diplomacy also has different fields, such as commercial diplomacy.”
Emphasizing that diplomacy should not be evaluated only as the political activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olpak noted that they discussed the numbers in their sessions with foreign ministers and ambassadors.
Stating that they held diplomatic meetings for the business world as DEIK at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Olpak said that they held both bilateral and panel meetings.
“We are in Africa with a dazzling picture”
Olpak stated that they held two sessions under the titles of “Africa” and “Business” as DEIK.
“We brought together representatives of 43 countries, nearly 20 African ministers and a head of state in the sessions. Africa is important for both Turkey and DEİK. It has 54 countries, 45 of which we have mutual business councils. The fact that our embassies and THY have flights in those countries encourages Turkish business people a lot. We trade, buy and sell in Africa, we also have investments in contracting, we are there with an incredible speed, quality and a dazzling picture in terms of price competition.”
Olpak noted that Africa, which covers 60% of the world’s uncultivated land, has the potential to meet the agriculture and food needs of the global population.
Reminding that the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement entered into force last year, Olpak said, “This agreement should be read well. Within the framework of the agreement, we have the opportunity to increase our direct investments in certain matters after a certain period of time.”
“We left Antalya Diplomacy Forum satisfied”
Nail Olpak emphasized that the Antalya Diplomacy Forum also made significant contributions to the business world and said, “We saw the forum as an area where we developed our business from a business perspective. The results we got from the panel and bilateral meetings are pleasing. We left the forum satisfied in terms of economy.”
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz