As part of the efforts and successes of the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association (EABA), led by Dr. Yousrey El Sharkawi, both locally and on the international and African levels, Dr. Yousrey El Sharkawi, Chairman of EABA, held an intensive meeting with Mr. Fatih Akbulut, Head of the Turkish African Association, in the presence of Mr. Mehmet Okan Ozkan, General Coordinator, and Ms. Heba Masri, Regional Coordinator of the association.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed many milestones to introduce the activities of these two important entities that share the same goals and orientations, originating from two complementary pivotal countries. The entities have proven their success by presenting a modern, distinguished, and contemporary approach that serves a segment of the private sector in these countries. Recently, it has become essential for the private sector and the business and financial community in both countries to coordinate projects, trade, investments, visions, and exchange information and ideas. All these efforts aim to enhance cooperation and joint work on local and African issues.
Dr. Yousry El Sharkawy, President of the Egyptian African Businessmen Association, emphasized that the association’s success since its inception has led to daily invitations from all strategic partners from African countries, non-African countries, and all continents of the world. The Turkish African Association, led by Mr. Fatih Akbulut, has connections and databases with 8,000 Turkish companies in various fields, and has helped major Turkish companies find investment partnerships on the continent and open new markets. Here, the idea of joint cooperation arose, especially since the ongoing global economic transformations have shown the importance of the African continent to the world in economic terms. This has driven the private sector in all countries, represented by institutions, federations, and associations, to diligently search for strategic partners who are active, serious, have modern thinking, and possess quick performance and accomplishment. These are the elements that have qualified us as an entity to be a focus of interest and attention both in Africa and internationally.
El Sharkawi explained that the meeting demonstrated the strength of both entities in work and performance, as well as the nature and type of activities. The Turkish African Association is distinguished by having most of its board members with international experience worldwide and more than 25 years with the African continent. They have organized dozens of conferences, round tables, and bilateral meetings, contributing to the increase of Turkish trade and investment with the African continent, including Egypt, which will witness a doubling of Turkish investments and trade from Egypt to Africa in the next two years. This is one of the most important goals of the joint cooperation we seek.
El Sharkawi pointed out that we discussed the joint work plan for the next five years and the activities we will undertake to double the Turkish and Egyptian commercial presence in Africa and increase Turkish investments in Africa, starting with Egypt. This will be achieved through organizing bilateral meetings for successful and serious commercial and investment partnerships. Additionally, we will be the strategic partners and supporters of the largest event, “Turkish African,” which will be held in Istanbul next November, “AFRIVEX 2024.” It is expected to be attended by 700 to 1,300 of the continent’s top traders and investors in various economic sectors from more than 28 African countries. The event will be held under presidential patronage in Turkey, where we will announce the partnership between the two associations and the business plan at a global press conference in Istanbul next November.