Turkey is willing to fully cooperate with Maldives in trade: Turkish Ambassador

Ambassador of Turkey to India Dr Burak Akcapar has said that Turkey is willing to strengthen trade ties and fully cooperate with Maldives in various sectors.

Dr Akcapar said this while speaking at the ‘Turkish-Maldivian Business Forum 2013’ function at Traders Hotel last night.

He said that Turkey is a country with an open economy and that the trade relations between Turkey and Maldives are in need of major changes, and that hard work is necessary to bring about those changes.

Dr Akcapar said that the Maldives is known around the world for its beauty and as a popular tourist destination, and that Turkish businessmen are interested in the opportunities that the Maldivian tourism sector has to offer. He said that Turkey also gives priority to fisheries and that the Maldivian fisheries industry could benefit from Turkey’s experience, in the efforts to develop the industry.

Dr Akcapar noted that Turkey is not a country blessed with abundant oil; however, due to the hard work of the people of Turkey, it is able to compete with some of the most advanced countries in the world. He said that Turkey is willing to export furniture, construction material and food commodities to Maldives, which can only be done by holding business forums and by establishing trade agreements between the two countries.

He said that Turkey is now familiar with the Maldives, and that it is now Maldivians’ turn to travel to Turkey and learn the culture and habits of its people.

Chief Guest at last night’s function, Vice President Mohamed Waheed Deen said that the governments of Maldives and Turkey need to work towards establishing trade ties between the two countries. Agreements need to be established regarding privileges to Turkish investors in Maldives such as tax exemptions, said Waheed Deen.

Last night’s Turkish-Maldivian Business Forum 2013 was attended by prominent businessmen from Turkey and Maldives.