Pretoria - A declaration between South Africa and Turkey will see the two nations boost relations in areas including infrastructure development, mining and energy, said the Trade and Industry Department.
At the end of the second session of the Turkey-South Africa Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Ankara, the two countries recommitted themselves to further enhance trade and economic relations. The JEC promotes trade, investment and economic co-operation between the two countries.
Together with the Turkish Minister of Energy and National Resources, Taner Yildiz, Minister Rob Davies, who co-chaired the JEC, signed a declaration on behalf of the two countries on Thursday.
Infrastructure development, small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) development, special economic zones, mining and energy, jewellery making and agriculture are some of the areas in which the declaration seeks to develop cooperation.
The work around the designated areas of cooperation will go a long way in deepening economic relations between Turkey and South Africa.
"For example, cooperation in infrastructure development could help to make the logistic system in South Africa more efficient and contribute positively to job creation. Similarly, it is expected that cooperation in SMME development would lead to positive job creating outcomes," said the dti.
Davies said the signing of the declaration coincides with Turkey's search of expanding its trade relations with the African continent. This search, he said, was not misguided as the International Monetary Fund projected over 5% economic growth for the continent.
