We are establishing lasting partnerships with 153 Business Councils, 48 of which are in Africa

As DEIK, the Polaris of our business world, we have been operating for 40 years with our 153 Business Councils spread across the globe, working to increase cross-border investment and trade without using public funds, guided by our motto of “Business Diplomacy.” As the window to the outside world for the Turkish private sector, we continue our work on a voluntary basis with our Business Councils, Counterparts, Founding Organizations, Corporate Members, and colleagues. In his book Conversations with Myself, Nelson Mandela refers to the “mighty baobab tree” as a symbol of unity for African communities. The baobab tree appears to stand alone, but its existence is completed by the soil around its roots, the rain it receives, and the people who breathe in its shade, bringing together the life of an entire community.

The DEIK family I lead is just like this baobab tree… Our roots are grounded in the values of our past; its trunk represents our strong institutional culture; and its branches are our Business Councils reaching out to the world. Our mission is not just trade, but to build lasting partnerships through our extensive business network. Our bilateral trade and investments with Africa are important to us. While focusing on increasing our trade and investments together, we also support the mission of promoting intra-regional trade and regional development through collaborative efforts. Our main goal is to increase our bilateral trade, currently at $35 billion, first to $50 billion, then to $75 billion. In line with this goal, developing logistics and transportation infrastructure is crucial, particularly in Africa. Increasing financing and banking opportunities; technology, start-ups, and innovation are areas that will transform economies in today’s world. Elevating our cooperation in these areas to the highest level, twin transformation, education, and health tourism are also important for ensuring cooperation between the two countries. Furthermore, in meeting the region’s infrastructure needs, our Turkish contractors, who have become a global brand, should collaborate more with our African friends. In summary, we need to strive for greater cooperation with our African friends in every area, from energy to food, infrastructure to mining, industry to the service sector. As DEIK, we hosted over 4,000 participants this year at the Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF), which we organize every two years in collaboration with the African Union and hosted by the Ministry of Trade, to increase these partnerships. We were joined by representatives from the business world of 50 African countries. Over the course of two days, approximately 2,000 meetings were held between governments and businesspeople. As DEIK, with our 153 Business Councils spread across the world, 48 of which are in Africa, we are determined to take our business diplomacy to new horizons. Inspired by the baobab tree, I believe that together we will walk towards a future with fair income and wealth distribution, a sustainable future with less suffering and death, and a future where children and the innocent are not slaughtered. In this issue of Business Diplomacy magazine, we have dedicated our cover to Africa. In our comprehensive interview with Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, we discussed in detail THY and Turkish Cargo’s strategic growth plans in Africa and their role as a bridge for trade and diplomacy on the continent. In our special interview with Abdullah Eren, President of TIKA, we evaluated development projects in the region and Türkiye’s cooperation steps. Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman Aliy, President of the Yunus Emre Institute, contributed to our issue with his article detailing the institute’s cultural and educational activities in Africa. In addition, Arzu Çekirge Paksoy, Founder of ARPR Communication and Social Responsibility Consultant, shares her socially beneficial approach in her article featured in our magazine.

I hope you enjoy reading it.