Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
TÜRKIYE is a trusted and genuine partner ready to cooperate with Zimbabwe across all fields based on equal partnership and mutual respect, Turkish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Berna Versteden has said.
Speaking during Türkiye’s 103rd National Day celebrations in Harare, Ambassador Versteden said Ankara had, over the years, significantly expanded its engagement with Africa, including Zimbabwe.
“We expanded our network of Embassies from 12 in 2002 to 44 today.
“Ankara became a diplomatic hub for Africa with 38 embassies, soon to be 40.
“Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) conducts capacity building projects in 51 African countries, including Zimbabwe,” she said.
The ambassador said Türkiye’s trade with Africa had grown significantly, with trade volumes exceeding US$40 billion from US$5 billion in 2003.
“Turkish companies are active in a wide range of sectors, making tangible contributions to the continent’s growth.
“Turkish direct investments in Africa exceeded US$6 billion.
“Turkish contractors undertook around 2 000 projects (worth US$92 billion) throughout Africa,” said Ambassador Versteden.
She said Ankara and Harare were continuing to strengthen efforts to unlock the considerable potential for cooperation between the two countries.
Türkiye had facilitated a number of official and business visits and meetings, including First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s participation in the Zero Waste Forum held in Istanbul in June and Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda’s attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Istanbul in April.
The ambassador said Türkiye was looking forward to Zimbabwe’s participation at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), which will be held in Antalya.
“We look forward to Zimbabwe’s participation in COP 31.
“Türkiye will hold this most important forum on climate change in Antalya with a view to turn climate commitments into concrete action.
“Our vision is an ‘Implementation COP’,” she said.
Ambassador Versteden said Turkish investors continued to explore opportunities in Zimbabwe’s energy, construction, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, while Zimbabwean entrepreneurs were increasingly participating in Turkish trade fairs and international conferences.
“Many Zimbabwean entrepreneurs visited Türkiye, attended fairs and international conferences.
“As a result of our joint efforts, our bilateral trade volume continued its upward trend.
“Figures are again in favour of Zimbabwe.
“We continue to work on strengthening our legal foundation. We look forward to signing agreements soon,” she said.
Ambassador Versteden congratulated President Mnangagwa on Zimbabwe’s assumption of the COMESA Chairmanship and wished the country well as it prepares to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
“So my message is clear: Türkiye is a trusted and genuine partner, ready to cooperate with Zimbabwe in every field, based on equal partnership and mutual respect,” she said.
