Turkish businesspeople seek trade boost with Israel

JERUSALEM - Anadolu Agency

Businesspeople from Turkey want to boost trade with Israel, which remains one of the most important markets for Turkish exporters, a senior official has stated.

“Israel is one of the most significant export markets of Turkey. We reached a trade volume of $4.3 billion last year,” Turkish Economy Ministry Undersecretary İbrahim Şenel said during the Mediterranean Exporter Associations’ Turkish Day event in Jerusalem on Nov. 26.

Şenel said Turkey’s exports to Israel had increased by 13 percent in the first 10 months of this year.

“We will exceed last year’s export level and we will realize the aim of exceeding a $4.5-billion trade volume,” he added.
Turkey’s exports to Israel stood at $2.9 billion while imports from the country were nearly $1.4 billion last year, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK).

Şenel noted that Turkey will be taking part in the Israel Food Fair, due to start on Nov. 28, in order to present its products.

“I think these kind of events will affect Turkish-Israeli relations positively. They will contribute to our trade relations,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Turkish Ambassador to Israel Kemal Ökem also stressed the significance of advertising events for the two countries.

“Flavors, tones, culture and sport are components that make people become more familiar with each other. It is the best way to get to know each other,” Ökem said.

He added that around 20 Turkish firms took part in the Mediterranean Exporter Associations’ Turkish Day event, which will also later be held in Tel Aviv.