Pretoria - South Africa aims to strengthen trade ties with Turkey, while also looking at the issue of trade barriers, says Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Speaking at the South Africa-Turkey Business Forum on Tuesday, Motlanthe said both countries needed to seek out opportunities in the currently difficult global economy environment.
"Our two countries hold enormous trade and investment potential that needs to be reinforced through closer co-operation. For South Africa, it is therefore essential to begin to develop stronger trade and investment related initiatives with our Turkish partners," explained the Deputy President.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan began his two-day visit to South Africa on Tuesday. Motlanthe and Erdogan are expected to review the state of bilateral political and economic relations, including the status and implementation of agreements and programmes of cooperation.
Trade between the two nations has been growing. South Africa has traditionally exported mineral products and base metals, among others, to Turkey.
Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange -- which is the largest non-profit business organisation in Turkey -- said trade between the two parties "is not as good as we wish."
"Trade barriers should be lifted - we ask you to get rid of barriers," said Hisarciklioglu.
Motlanthe said concerns raised on issues of high tariffs would receive attention and that this should be resolved in order to benefit the two nations.
The prime minister said South Africa and the African continent have taken steps forward towards development.
"The world owes Africa... We have added impetus to support Africa. For us, South Africa is not a seasonal friend," said Erdogan, adding that those who exploited the continent in the past should take responsibility.
He said Turkey wanted to co-operate further with South Africa. "Turkey and South Africa can work together... We can succeed in many areas. We are ready to share information we have with South Africa."
The Turkish business delegation to South Africa included 125 business men and women.
Currently, 70 Turkish companies are operating in South Africa. Turkish company Arcelink's took over the South African brand Defy in July.
