…As Both Nations Seal 9 Bilateral Pacts
President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Tuesday said his country would target a $5 billion export trade to Nigeria as discussions on how to boost bilateral trade between the two countries had already been opened.
Erdogan, who made this projection during a joint press briefing with President Bola Tinubu during the Nigerian President’s state visit to his country, expressed optimism that the current $2 billion bilateral trade value would be more than double as his country will increase its planes, helicopters, machinery, iron and steel, and chemical products exports to Nigeria.
The President said the establishment of the Joint Economy and Trade Committee between the two countries, which was formalized during President Tinubu’s visit to his country, will create opportunities to expand Turkish investments in Nigeria to realise the target.
Erdogan commended the commitment of President Tinubu to develop Nigeria and highlighted the presence of several ministers and high-ranking officials as the most unambiguous indication of this political determination:
He explained: “Today, we conducted a comprehensive review of our relations with the esteemed President and his delegation in the fields of trade, investments, energy, education and defence industry.
“Firstly, we see that we have significant potential in the fields of trade and investment. In today’s meetings, our commitment is to the $5 billion trade volume target, and we discussed the steps needed.
“We also discussed opportunities to support our investments in Nigeria. We believe that the joint Economy and Trade Committee, which we agreed to establish today, will be instrumental in this regard”, Erdogan added.
On the menace of terrorists and bandits in the country, the President promised to assist Nigeria in tackling insurgency, given its history with a similar problem.
He said: “Terrorist organisations emerging, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, unfortunately, pose a threat to the peace of the entire continent. We stand by the friendly people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism under the leadership of President Tinubu.
“In fact, today, we addressed opportunities for closer cooperation in the fields of military training and intelligence. We stated that we are ready to share our country’s significant experience in combating terrorism.
“Also, I believe that we will soon see positive outcomes from the meetings that Nigerian officials will hold with our leading defence industry companies during this visit”, Erdogan assured.
In his remarks, the Nigerian President expressed gratitude to the Republic of Turkey for its openness and willingness to collaborate in promoting global freedom, stability, and prosperity, stressing the importance of creating an inclusive economy, particularly focusing on vulnerable people.
Tinubu also commended the Turkish leader for being willing to collaborate, willing to help, willing to work together to promote freedom, stability and prosperity, and shared prosperity across the world.
He said: “What is very important to the countries being discussed, trade, business, no restrictions, giving opportunity to those who are ready to learn to work and prosper. How do we build an inclusive economy together?
“How do we reform the economy and involve vulnerable people? How do we ensure peace in the world?” he quipped.
Tinubu stressed that Nigeria would continue to play a significant role in promoting peace and stability in Africa despite security challenges in some parts of the country.
At the end of the bilateral meeting, officials from the two countries signed 9 agreements, namely Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Diaspora Policy; Agreement on Defence Cooperation; Joint Declaration Establishing the Economy and Trade Joint Committee; and Agreement in the Field of Halal Quality Infrastructure.
Others include Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education; Cooperation in the Field of Media and Communication; Cooperation in the Field of Education; Cooperation Between the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy Academy, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs Academy; and Cooperation Between the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Social services and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of women Affairs and Social Development.