Turkey, Belarus set goal for mutual trade at $1 bln

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (L) with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko during an official visit to the capital city of Minsk on Nov 11.

Turkey and Belarus have set a trade target at $1 billion following a 10-fold growth in 14 years. 

More than 450 businesspeople participated in the Belarus-Turkey Business Forum held by DEİK and the Belarus Chamber of Trade and Industry as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official visit to the capital city of Minsk on Nov. 11. 

The failed coup attempt on July 15 was a serious test of the Turkish economy, but the state of emergency in the aftermath did not have any trace effect on the business world. 

The president set a $1 billion target for mutual trade, asking for concrete cooperation from business representatives from both sides. 

The regional crisis in the region shows that Belarus and Turkey should be involved in stronger economic cooperation, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said during the event. 

“We consider Turkey as a country of investments with developed technology,” he said, adding that the privatization processes in his country had much to offer Turkish businesspeople. 

The Forum promised a new era for business people from both countries, DEİK President Ömer Cihad Vardan said. 

“The leaders of the two countries share a vision and work to pave the way for the business world,” he said. 
The two countries signed nine agreements and began talks for a deal on promoting mutual investments.