Turkish enterprises to set up production units in CMR

The Turkish Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Omer Faruk Dogan, says many Turkish enterprises will establish some of their production units in Cameroon.

He made the announcement in a press briefing at his residence over the weekend ahead of the Turkish products fair that was launched in Yaounde on September 24. The fair which is a forum for the showcase of Turkish products runs from September 24 to 27 at the TURCAM Hall at the Mvan neighbourhood in Yaounde.

Speaking in the presence of the Vice President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the Ambassador said his country was in for a true win-win partnership with Cameroon. To him, Turkish enterprise will set up production units in Cameroon in partnership with local firms in order to share experiences and create jobs. “They should produce together and share experiences”, he said.

Faruk Dogan said Turkey was bidding to establish its production hub in Cameroon in order to satisfy the demands of the over 300 million consumers in the African region. He said the trade fair was intended to showcase the high quality of the various Turkish products that will be exposed by 44 Turkish enterprises.

Such products, he said, include equipments, building materials, furniture, electrical appliances and cosmetics among others.

The trade fair will run from 10am to 6pm everyday and from 10am to 4pm on the last day which is September 27. Asked what is particular about Turkish Products, the diplomat said their goods are of very high quality because they are produced in very high standards, as prescribed by in the Turkish legislation.

The Ambassador said his county`s partnership with Cameroon does not represent a desperate search of a market for their goods, but a real win-win that will accelerate growth in Cameroon.

He said 40 percent of Turkish goods go to the European market. Asked if they were afraid of competition, he claimed that Turkish products are of very high quality but sold at very cheap prices. He said they will make all the differences by not only bringing their products but produce their products in Cameroon so that their enterprises can pay taxes to the Cameroon Government and create jobs.

He described Cameroon as an important and strategic partner, noting that the population of Africa will be 2.5 billion people in 2015. The Ambassador described Cameroon as one of the most” politically, economically and socially stable and prosperous county in Sub Saharan Africa”.

To him, Cameroon`s strategic, geographical location is an additional advantage for its development process as it is considered as the main entry point to Central Africa.

According to him, “neighbouring countries like Chad, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Congo mostly depend on Cameroon in importing and exporting goods and products since the harbour town and commercial capital has become a regional commercial base.

The inauguration of new transportation lines between Turkey and Africa will definitely strengthen the existing relations between the two countries”.

In order to drive home his point, the diplomat said Turkish Airlines has four flights per week from Yaounde and seven flights from Douala Cameroon and serves more than 250 locations throughout the world from Istanbul.

He said Turkey is ready to show all her experiences and provide any help in raising the living standards of Cameroonians to a level that they deserve.

“In this approach and perception of bilateral relations with Cameroon, the success of “Turkey days” in Yaounde will not only reconfirm the concept of strategic partnership”.

He said the exhibition spaces in Cameroon; “the Yaounde Commercial Centre” built by TURCAM is evidence of a stable and long lasting cooperation between the Turkish private sector and Cameroon.