Lusaka: Trkiye attaches "great importance" to the 21-member Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Turkish Ambassador Huseyin Barbaros Dicle said on Monday. The ambassador emphasized the significance of the relationship by highlighting trade between Trkiye and COMESA, which currently exceeds $15 billion, reflecting the improving ties between Trkiye and the 21 COMESA member states.

According to Anadolu Agency, Dicle made these statements after presenting his letter of credentials to Chileshe Kapwepwe, the bloc's secretary general, in Zambia's capital. Dicle, who is also Trkiye's ambassador to Zambia and Malawi, mentioned that he and Kapwepwe explored avenues for further trade and cooperation. Two years ago, Kapwepwe participated in the Trkiye-Africa business forum, and she has been invited to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum scheduled this April in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya.

During their discussions, they also focused on supporting women in business, an area championed by Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan, who is keen on women's empowerment. Dicle expressed Trkiye's desire to expand trade and economic ties with Africa, noting that trade volume with the continent has risen from $5.5 billion in 2003 to $50 billion currently.

In 2008, Trkiye had only 12 embassies in Africa, but this number has increased to 44, covering countries throughout the continent. Dicle identified renewable energy, agriculture, and mining, along with trade, economic, and political cooperation, as key focus areas for collaboration with Africa. These areas are also part of Trkiye's close cooperation with Zambia.