4th joint economic commission meeting held between Türkiye, Republic of Congo

The fourth Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting between Türkiye and the Republic of Congo took place at the Ministry of Interior Conference Hall in Ankara, co-chaired by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, and Congo’s Minister of International Cooperation and Public-Private Partnership Promotion Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso.

During the meeting, agreements were signed to enhance cooperation in land use, soil surveys, and mapping. A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Directorate General of Libraries and Publications and Congo’s National Library.

Additional agreements covered areas including the prevention of double taxation, mutual promotion and protection of investments, expansion of educational cooperation, and a partnership between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB) and Congo’s Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (ADPME).

In remarks following the meeting, Yerlikaya emphasized the strengthening of relations between the two countries, noting that this meeting reflected both countries’ commitment to deepening their partnership.

He highlighted the range of issues discussed, such as trade, investment, contracting, energy, mining, education, industry, standardization, science and technology, agriculture, livestock, forestry, and transportation.

“As part of our multi-dimensional foreign policy, Türkiye introduced the ‘Strategy for the Development of Commercial and Economic Relations with African Countries’ in 2003,” Yerlikaya said, emphasizing Türkiye’s increasing economic presence in Africa.

He noted that Türkiye’s trade with the African continent grew from $5.4 billion in 2003 to $37 billion in 2023. Over this period, Turkish exports increased from $2.1 billion to $22 billion, and imports rose from $3.3 billion to $15 billion.

Turkish companies have made significant investments across Africa, with an investment portfolio of $10 billion and construction contracts valued at $92 billion in nearly 2,000 projects.

Türkiye now operates 44 embassies and 31 trade offices across the continent, and Turkish Airlines flies to 62 destinations in Africa. DEIK, the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye, has also established 48 business councils with African nations.

Yerlikaya stated that Türkiye’s bilateral trade volume with Congo reached $163 million last year, with $149 million from exports and $14 million from imports, emphasizing the potential for further growth.

Turkish contractors have taken on five projects in Congo, totaling $595 million and including tourist, storage and residential facilities.

“I believe Turkish companies will continue to play a significant role in Congo’s infrastructure and development projects,” Yerlikaya said, adding that Türkiye is open to cooperation with Congo in areas like security, disaster management, and migration.

Türkiye is a bridge and leader in G-20, says Nguesso

Congolese Minister Nguesso highlighted the importance of strengthening and diversifying cooperation between the two countries.

“I believe we can achieve this through existing agreements and by signing new ones,” he said. Nguesso also mentioned recent meetings with Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir and Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin.

He noted that Congo aims to diversify its economy and highlighted Türkiye’s role as an industrial and cultural bridge between Asia and Europe.

“Your country, which serves as a bridge between continents, is a prominent player within the G-20. I believe this will significantly contribute to our cooperation,” Nguesso added.