Canadian envoy to Turkey calls for closer business ties

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey and Canada should identify sectors having the most potential for generating business and put their resources and energy towards them, Chris Cooter, Canadian ambassador to Turkey, said Wednesday.

Speaking at the Turkish-Canadian Business Forum held in Ankara, Cooter called on Turkish businesspeople to consider Canada as the first destination to do business instead of European countries or the U.S.

"We have everything from high tech to natural resources to education. It is not a big, cool country but it is highly developed, and has a highly diversified economy," Cooter said, adding Canada's economy grew as fast as Turkey did at 4.5 percent.

Turkey and Canada need to set long-term plans together in order to build up a commercial relationship, the ambassador said.

Mike Ward, director of the Canada-Turkey Business Council, said trade missions would generate more trade and investment between the two countries.

He called for more business visits between Canada and Turkey as both countries had lots of potentials, and said Turkish market offered a wide range of opportunities to Canadian business circle.

"Canadian firms need to understand that Turkey is a wonderful opportunity for every sector whether it is agriculture, environment, energy, mining, information communication technology or education, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation and infrastructure," he said.

Ward added he would like more political involvement in trade missions such as the Turkish-Canadian Business Forum.

"I am sure next time we will have a Canadian minister leading the delegation. And the same thing goes for Turkey to Canada. We need more high-level visits to Canada," he added.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey's exports to Canada stood at almost $730 million last year while it imported more than $1 billion worth of goods.