27.04.2015 Uganda
In Uganda for the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture’s (ICCIA) meetings, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the delegation accompanying him visited Ugandan Prime Minister Rugunda.
Providing information in regards to TOBB, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that
both countries have very little knowledge about each other.
Stating that Turkey is the largest industry giant between Italy and
China, the TOBB President said, “90% of our 160 billion USD export volume is
comprised of industrial goods. 60% of our total exports are sold to EU
countries and the USA. This indicates the quality and dependability of our
goods.”
Stating that Turkey is a very developed country in the field of tourism
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Turkey is visited by 42 million tourists each
year, bringing in 30 billion USD.
Also speaking in regard to their successes in the construction sector,
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Turkish contractors are active in almost 100
countries and that a road construction project undertaken by a Turkish company
in Uganda has been completed in a very satisfactory manner.
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized their desire to implement stronger trade
relations between the two countries.
Stating that Uganda’s climate and flora could be utilized to its fullest
by Turkish companies, Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Turkey is the 7th
largest country in regards to arable land in the world and that they export a
volume of agricultural product each year amounting to 15 billion USD.
Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking in regards to the Prevention of Double Taxation
and Bilateral Incentivization and Protection of Investments Agreements,
stressed the importance of signing these agreements posthaste, stating their
importance for removing obstacles to trade.
Inviting Prime Minister Rugunda to Turkey, the TOBB President said, “It
would be our pleasure to host you under TOBB’s roof. This would provide Turkish
business people to get to know Uganda intimately.”
- Ugandan Prime Minister Rugunda
Ugandan Prime Minister Rugunda thanked Hisarcıklıoğlu for his
information and stated that Turkey is a country only just now being taken into
consideration by Uganda.
Stating the importance of the opening of an embassy in Kampala, Ruganda
said, “One of the best roads in the country is being constructed by a Turkish
company. A decision to involve said company in a second project was made last
week. We invite Turkish companies to invest
more, especially in the industrial sector.”
The Ugandan Prime Minister stated that they are ready to support Turkish
businessmen in all regards.
Also present during the meeting were Turkey’s Ambassador to Kampala Ayşe
Sedef Yavuzalp, Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce Chair Fikri Toros, TOBB
Board Member Selçuk Öztürk and Çankırı Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair
Hayrettin Çelikten.