Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will deliver keynote addresses at the South Africa-Türkiye Business Council and the 5th Biennial Türkiye Africa Business and Economic Forum, which will be held in Istanbul today. Friday’s engagements form part of the Deputy President’s working visit to Türkiye, where he co-chaired the inaugural Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two countries. The BNC was convened in accordance with the 2012 agreement that established the commission, which is to be co-chaired at the Deputy President and Vice-President levels, respectively.
In Ankara on Wednesday, the Deputy President co-chaired the BNC with Türkiye’s Vice-President, Cevdet Yılmaz. The discussions concluded with a signing ceremony for several agreements between the two countries, which included the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of higher education and training, as well as cooperation regarding special economic zones and free zones.
The Deputy President led the second day of bilateral discussions between South Africa and Türkiye on Thursday. According to the Presidency, he also engaged with the ATA Holding group, chaired by Korhan Kurdoğlu, who expressed the company’s eagerness to invest in South Africa.
Their interests include food production and agribusiness, cold chain logistics and distribution, science and technology, digital transformation, infrastructure, foreign trade synergies, financial services, co-investments, as well as sports, culture, and tourism. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition coordinated several engagements, including a bilateral meeting with Dr Mehmet Demiroğlu, CEO of TAI/TUSAŞ, and a discussion with Ahmet Akyol, CEO and President of Aselsan.
He also took the time to visit the Anıtkabir Mausoleum in Ankara and laid a wreath to honour Türkiye’s founder and first President, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. “I sincerely hope that your immortal spirit will guide our discussions and the high-level dialogue and joint decision-making that our two countries will be engaged in, for mutual development, cooperation and lasting prosperity. We are honoured to be in this sacred midst of history and greatness,” the Deputy President said.
The Deputy President is accompanied on the working visit by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau; and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande. He is also joined by Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga; Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille; Deputy Minister of Agriculture Nokuzola Capa; Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe; and Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
