At least 100 Ethiopian businesses to take part in WCI Forum in Türkiye
By Yared Nigussie
At least 100 Ethiopian businesses will exhibit their products and services on the World Cooperation Industries Forum (WCI), which is going to be kicked off next month in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, organizers announced on Wednesday.
The organizers have briefed the media in a presser at Best Western Plus Hotel.
The 7th WCI Forum, an international business forum will be held in September 14-15, 2022 in Ankara.
The goal is connecting the future business peoples in many countries across the world in a bid to introduce direct manufacturing companies of Turkey, Utku Bengisu, Founder and CEO of Bosphorus Trade Centers PLC, which is in charge of organizing the Forum.
“Ethiopia is a guest honor country this year and special discounts and conditions of participations have been prepared to Ethiopian traders,” Mr.Utku said, adding, “We expect a delegation of at least 100 people from Ethiopia. So far we’ve received 200 applications online and in our office in Addis Abeba.”
Ethiopian businesses will get a chance to have business to business meetings with 350 Türkiye companies engaged in automotive technology, manufacturing, textile, food processing, construction, cosmetic, agriculture mining and technology sectors, to mention a few, according to Mr.Utku.
The Forum will also attract 1250 traders from across Africa.
Business to business meetings, companies profile presentation, products panel discussion and conferences are part of the forum, which be held for two days.
Türkiye is the World’s 19th largest economy and has the 13th largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a population of 83 million. Türkiye’s closest geopolitical location to Africa and Europe makes it preferable to conduct trade with countries of the two continents, Mr. Bengisu says.
Türkiye is also the 4th country in the world, which opened 43 Embassies across African countries. It has also a plan to open the 44th Embassy in Guinea-Bissau.
Turkey has a direct invest rate of $7 billion in Africa—30% of this investment rate is being invested in Ethiopia.
Officials of African countries will attend WCI opening program in September, 2022.
Oğuz Atik, Ethiopia Representative of Türkiye’s Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MUSIAD) for his part said that there are 16 thousand Türkiye’s businesses under the umbrella of MUSIAD.
MUSIAD is also engaged in construction activities in Ethiopia including in the construction of Best Western Plus Hotel, located in Bole, close to Edna Mall, six years ago.
“In 2021, close to $21 billion export earning has been garnered by members of MUSIAD,” Mr. Oğuz said.
