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Midlands Bureau
ZIMBABWEAN companies are set to participate in the Turkish business expo next month as part of an exchange visit following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and their Turkish counterparts.

The expo targets companies from the food, agricultural and agro-chemicals sub-sectors that are expected to use the trip to explore business opportunities in the European country. The Turkish Exporters’ Assembly is organising the event to be held in the first week of November.

CZI chief executive officer, Mr Clifford Sileya, said local firms have been invited to the expo through the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK).

“In the light of the MoU signed between CZI and its Turkish Counterpart DEIK, to strengthen our existing business ties, you are invited to a sponsored Turkish export week, which is organised by the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly to take place in 1-3 November 2017, in Istanbul, Turkey,” said Mr Sileya.

“The Turkish Embassy is encouraging CZI members to attend, especially those who are operating in the food, agricultural industries, and agro-chemicals.

For each company, one representative’s accommodation, flight expenses and transfers will be covered by the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly.”

The invitation comes at a time when Zimbabwe is basking in the glory of a bumper harvest of the 2016/17 agricultural season through the Command Agriculture and Presidential Input Support Scheme, which saw the country producing in excess of two million tonnes of maize.

DEIK is responsible for leading foreign economic relations of Turkish sectors particularly foreign trade, international investment and services, international construction activities and logistics, exploring inward and outward investment opportunities.

It is also responsible for managing the foreign economic relations of the Turkish private sector as well as increasing the export volume of Turkish business and coordinating similar business development activities.

Zimbabwean delegates are expected to meet Turkish Prime Minister, among other senior officers. The business platform is expected to bolster the agricultural sector, which was once the country’s economic backbone, by providing business opportunities for partnerships and possible export deals.