Sudan, Turkey agree to boost economic cooperation

March 14, 2007 (ANKARA) — Sudan and Turkey signed today an agreement to strengthen economic cooperation, trade and agriculture between the two countries; the Turkish Anatolia news agency reported.

Turkish state minister Kursat Tuzmen and Sudanese Foreign Trade Minister George Bornik Nyami signed Turkey-Sudan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Protocol on Wednesday.

Tuzmen, in a speech delivered at the signing ceremony, said that they agreed to sign a preferential trade agreement as a first step, to be followed by a free trade agreement in the near future. He added that the preferential trade agreement aims to increase export of Sudanese agricultural produce to Turkey.

Tuzmen also stated that they are working on a “pilot farm project” in order to modernize methods of production of cotton and wheat in that country.

Our trade relations will develop in a more constructive and balanced way thanks to the win-win principle” said Tuzmen adding, Turkish and Sudanese private sectors decided to jointly invest in Sudan, in energy, telecommunication and agriculture sectors, as well as in infrastructure projects.

Sudanese minister Nyami on the other hand, explained that the preferential trade agreement will create more added value in agriculture.

(ST)