Turkish businessmen seek trade boost with Israel

By Turgut Alp Boyraz and Eshat Firat

JERUSALEM (AA) - Business people from Turkey want to boost trade with Israel as the Middle Eastern country is one of the most important markets for Turkish exporters, a senior official has said.

"Israel is one of the most significant export markets of Turkey. We reached a trade volume of $4.3 billion last year," Ibrahim Senel, Turkey's Economy Ministry Undersecretary, said during the Mediterranean Exporter Associations' Turkish Day event held in Jerusalem on Sunday.

Senel said Turkey's exports to Israel increased 13 percent in 10 months this year.

"We will exceed last year's export level. We would realize the aim of exceeding a $4.5-billion trade volume," he added.

Turkey's exports to Israel stood at $2.9 billion while imports from the country were nearly $1.4 billion last year, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute.

Ankara has been working intensively to increase Turkey's share of world exports, according to Senel.

Senel noted that Turkey also will join the Israel Food Fair, which will start on Tuesday, to present its products.

"I think these organizations will affect Turkish-Israeli relations positively. They will contribute to our trade relations," he added.

Speaking at the same event, Turkish ambassador to Israel, Kemal Okem, also pointed out the significance of advertising events for the two countries.

"Flavors, tones, culture and sport are components which familiarize folks. It is the best way for getting to know each other," Okem said.

He said around 20 Turkish firms joined the Mediterranean Exporter Associations' Turkish Day and the event will be reorganized in Tel Aviv.

Turkey and Israel are "two natural partners" as they are close in the region, Okem added.

"We say it not only for Israel but also for Palestine, Egypt. We share the same flavors and tones as close countries in the Eastern Mediterranean," he said.