Erdoğan calls for more Turkish investments in Chad
N’Djamena, Chad - Anadolu Agency
On a landmark visit to Chad, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Dec. 26 that Turkey had never viewed Africa like the colonizers did and never would.
“We have never viewed Africa like the colonists who came to this land … Our relations on the African continent are based on mutual respect, love, the win-win principle. We are trying to develop our relationships with an understanding that wants to develop together, manage together, enrich together,” said Erdoğan, speaking at the Chad-Turkey Business Forum in the capital N’djamena.
He called for boosting bilateral trade with Chad by calling on Turkish investors to invest more in the central African nation.
“Turkey has 80 million people and Chad has 15 million. This means our two brotherly countries have 95 million people, said Erdoğan.
“The current trade volume is not enough. We need to increase our trade,” he added.
Erdoğan also said that the countries signed a total of seven agreements on cooperation on development and technology, investment protection, mining, energy, diplomatic archives and avoiding double taxation.
Chad plays a critical role in Turkey’s policy on Africa, he said.
He also urged Turkish investors to get more involved in public-private partnership projects in Chad.
Chad presents opportunities for Turkish investors in construction, agriculture, food processing and storage, animal products processing, textiles, machinery and energy, according to Turkey’s Economy Ministry.
Chad also has rich gold, uranium and oil reserves.
