Turkish official says visa issue major obstacle to Turkey-Africa ties

Chief Coordinator of the Turkish-African Business Councils, Tamer Taskin, said Tuesday the issue of "visa was the greatest obstacle to Turkey's African initiative".

Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) organized meetings for Turkish and African businesspeople in Istanbul on Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with the AA, Taskin said that 54 African countries have abundant amounts of agricultural and mine products.

"However, as there are not sufficient numbers of cold air depots and canned food factories, agricultural products can not be preserved and utilized properly," Taskin said.

In the whole continent of Africa, there are not any automobile factories or auto manufacturing of any type, except in South Africa. Africa presents a "crucial" opportunity for Turkey. Africans love Turkey and they prefer Turkish products in every corner of the continent, Taskin stressed.

Certain African businesspeople can not come to Turkey due to visa regulations of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey must facilitate easier procedures so that African businesspeople can come to Turkey and stay for long periods of time and possess multiple-entry visas. The issue of visa was the greatest obstacle before Turkey's African initiative, Taskin added.

Turkish and African trade volume was approximately 20 billion USD in 2009.

Turkey is planning to open at least 15 new embassies in different corners of the African continent in 2010.


/World Bulletin/