Turkish African Business Summit 2016 launched in Accra
The maiden Turkish African Business Summit (TABS)-2016 to be held in Istanbul, Turkey from September 30 to October 2, has been launched in Accra.
The three-day Business Summit, which is being organised by the Turkish African Business Association (TABA), would gather more than 5,000 African and Turkish business people in Istanbul, Turkey.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, Mr Fatih Akbulut, TABA President, said TABS–2016 would be opened by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and in attendance would be 17 African Heads of State.
He said the TABS-2016 is being organised to foster the trade relations between Turkey and African countries, by providing unique occasions to delegates in building networks and creating new business opportunities.
He said the summit would include an expo, conferences by leaders and important personalities; as well as meetings between businessmen and speeches by influential people with pro-business sessions.
On the composition of delegates to the TABS-2016, Mr Akbulut said it would be made up of 70 per cent Africans and 30 per cent Turkish.
“The Business Summit will serve as the new bridge between Turkey and Africa.”
He said the event which would be an exclusive gathering of Turkish and African business community would go a long way to shape the future of business in Africa.
He said TABS-2016 would provide a unique atmosphere to all delegates in building networks and creating new business opportunities.
Mr Akbulut said the Turkish economy has shown remarkable performance with its steady growth over the last decade.
He noted that the visible improvements in the Turkish economy had also boosted foreign trade, while exports reached $158 billion by the end of 2014, up from $47 billion in 2003.
He said trade volume between Turkey and the African continent in general increased by more than four times in the last decade.
“Considering geographical locations, rapidly growing economies, culture and historical ties and rapidly growing economies, business between Turkey and Africa promises even better,” Mr Akbulut stated.
Mr Haruna Maiga, the Communication Director, Ghana Turkey Trade and Culture Organisation said government must not engage itself in doing business.
Rather government should help promote entrepreneurship and to create the conducive climate for businesses to operate.
Mr Felix Attua-Afari, the Director, Blue Cube Travel (Ghana) Limited, said a lot of opportunities exist in doing business with Turkey.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaian companies to take advantage of the TABS–2016 to build new business partnerships and penetrate into Turkish and African markets.
Source: GNA