By Merve Ozlem Cakir
ANKARA (AA) - Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum will be held in Istanbul on October 10-11.
"We aim to improve our economic and commercial ties with African countries and to increase investments through the forum," Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan told Anadolu Agency.
The event is part of a 100-day action plan the Turkish government has recently introduced to support the economy.
Pekcan added that Turkey was eager to make joint investments in Africa with third countries.
The event will be organized by the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in coordination with the Trade Ministry and the African Union, she said.
Pekcan stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to deliver an opening speech at the forum. Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome Wirtu is also expected to attend the event.
"Close to 2,000 business people from more than 40 African countries will attend this forum," Pekcan said.
The two-day forum will feature a ministerial meeting themed "Fair, Free and Sustainable Trade", as well as panel discussions on cooperation in construction, infrastructure and energy, and trade and investment in Africa.
"We do not only want to trade with them but also we want to make investments there, we want to develop together with the continent. Our relations with Africa is based on a win-win principle and partnership," Pekcan said.