Turkey and Peru expect to reach a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by June 2016 and bring the trade balance to US$1.00 billion over the next five-year period, Turkish Ambassador to Peru Ferda Akkerman announced.
Negotiations
Akkerman indicated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's official visit to Lima —last February— contributed to a very positive approach between both countries.
"Within the framework of the President's visit, 80 Turkish entrepreneurs came and established the first contacts expected to remain in the future," he told El Peruano official gazette.
Likewise, the diplomat said countries rely on great potential to set a strategic partnership in the medium-term.
According to Akkerman, the FTA could be signed in June, since Peru and Turkey conduct highest-level negotiations. Both dignitaries jointly committed to fulfilling this objective.
"Currently, we are coming closer to the fifth negotiation round taking place on March 14th-17th. There is political willingness to move the FTA forward [...]; we must work on specific topics to protect both nations’ companies,” he added.
A Peruvian delegation will travel to Turkey soon. The move is comprised in the negotiation process on textile, agriculture, metal and construction sectors.
"The goal is to reach US$1.00 billion in [trade] in the next five years [...]. Both governments intend to boost new businesses," Akkerman stressed.
In March, a Turkish business delegation is expected to arrive in Lima with the aim of establishing contacts with Peruvian counterparts, he said.
Peruvian economyFinally, the Ambassador stated Peruvian economy remains on an upward trend and relies on a great to-be-exploited potential.
It must be noted Turkey hosts 74.9 million inhabitants. Likewise, it is the world’s 17th and Europe’s 7th largest economy.
This country is also an active member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the G20.
(END) DOP/SMA/ASH/MVB
Published: 2/28/2016