Zambia seeks to boost economic ties with Turkey

LUSAKA, Zambia

Zambia's Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji said his country is looking for partners that may help boost its economy.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Malanji said Turkey is "not being selfish" and it is looking for opportunities to enhance its economy as well as of Zambia.

Malanji said Erdogan's visit to Zambia is "a turning point" for the two countries' bilateral relations and 12 agreements signed in capital Lusaka will boost their ties.

Turkey and Zambia signed 12 agreements in capital Lusaka on Saturday during the first-ever official visit by a Turkish president to the East African country.

The agreements covered agriculture, stockbreeding, fishery, tourism as well as investment, sports, and diplomacy.

Erdogan was in Zambia after attending a summit of BRICS, emerging country powerhouses in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Turkish companies have experience and prestige at the international level in major contracting works such as power plants, dams, infrastructure, road and housing.

"Turkey is definitely not a small market economy, we can see that when we look at the gross domestic product," he said.

Turkey's economy grew 7.4 percent in 2017, compared with the previous year, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).

GDP at current prices climbed to over 3.1 trillion Turkish liras (nearly $850.7 billion) last year, up 19 percent from 2016, the TurkStat said.

Malanji also said Zambia will increase its "economic diplomacy" and in coordination with Turkey, his country will implement its national development plan.

The top diplomat of Zambia also said Turkish Airlines will begin direct flights from Lusaka to Istanbul.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Joseph Chilengi, Zambia's ambassador to Ankara, said two countries will also look to increase its bilateral trade volume.

"President Erdogan brought the potential with him in his visit. We would like to increase our economic ties as soon as possible," Chilengi said.

Reporting by Tufan Aktas:Writing by Satuk Bugra Kutlugun