Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 10 September 2018:- Ahead of the 2nd International Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum to be held in Istanbul, Turkey from 10-11 October 2018, the Department of Economic Affairs Commissioner Prof. Victor Harison signed on behalf of H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of African Union Commission, the Framework Cooperation Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Turkey represented by its Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union H.E. Fatih Ulusoy.

H.E. Ulusaoy took this opportunity to reiterate the satisfaction of the Turkish authorities on the success of the First Forum which was held in 2016. With a participation of over 30 African Ministers and 2000 Turkish and African Businesses , the first Edition of the Turkey-Africa Business Forum resulted in an estimated $35-40 Million USD worth of concrete contracts signed. It is projected that the 2nd Forum will mobilize a greater number of African Ministries and Businesses. On his part, H.E. Prof Victor Harison thanked the Turkish Government for their continued support and noted that Turkey remains one of Africa’s Top trading partner. He called on all African private sector actors to actively participate to the next Africa-Turkey Business Forum which is a great opportunity to actively exchange with their Turkish counterparts.

This year, the Turkey-Africa Second Economic and Business Forum will be jointly organized by the Turkish Ministry of Commerce, the African Union Commission (AUC) and DEiK under the motto of “Building a Sustainable Future Together through investments and joint ventures” on 10-11 October 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Forum will be addressing the following four sub-themes: Infrastructure, Construction, Manufacturing, Tourism and Fashion.

The Forum is mainly aimed at promoting Turkish and Africa investments through analyzing trade and economic relations between Africa and Turkey; evaluating Turkey’s approach to investment in Africa; facilitating interaction between the two business communities and initiating dialogue between Turkish investors, the AU and the RECs. It is also aimed at highlighting the expectations engendered by Agenda 2063 as a program for social, economic and political transformation that will make Africa a prosperous, united and economically independent Continent.

The Forum is expected to attract over 3000 participants and be attended by the President of the Republic of Turkey, the Chairperson of the African Union, the Turkish Minister of Trade and Ministers of African Countries, NGOs, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Business Councils, Associations, Professional Organizations and Entrepreneurs from Turkey, African Diplomatic Missions to Turkey and Mass Media from Turkey and Africa.

For more Information about the Forum, please visit https://www.turkeyafricaforum.org/ .

Media Contact:

Djeinaba Kane | Department of Economic Affairs | African Union Commission I E-mail: KaneD@africa-union.org I

Esther Azaa Tankou / Head of Information Division / E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org / Tel: +251911361185

For further information: Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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