Trade with Gambia has increased tenfold: Turkish FM

The trade volume between Gambia and Turkey has increased tenfold this year, the Turkish foreign minister said Thursday.

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu called on Turkish companies to invest in the west African country, as he addressed a joint press conference in Ankara, with his Gambian counterpart Ousainou Darboe.

"We know that the Gambian government will provide all kinds of support to Turkish companies," he said, adding that Turkey will share its experiences with Gambia in the energy, agriculture and tourism sectors.

The Turkish foreign minister congratulated Gambia for successfully completing a democratic transition this year, after its former president Yahya Jammeh stepped down after 22 years.

He said that the two countries enjoyed military cooperation and Turkey was providing support to Gambia in gendarmerie training.

Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey considers Africa its strategic partner and promotes it on international platforms.

"The African Union understands that Turkey does not approach the continent like a colonial power," he said.

He said that a memorandum of understanding on information technology had been signed during his meeting with Darboe.

Darboe stressed the importance of cooperation in the military and economic sectors.

"Efforts to revitalize our economy and improve national security are our priority," he said.

He said that Turkey had supported Gambia in times of uncertainty and with its cooperation it can achieve its goal of building an inclusive society and in fighting terrorism.

Referring to Turkey's Maarif Foundation, which works to impart education in Gambia, he said that such efforts are beneficial in terms of "cultural exchange".

The Gambian diplomat is expected to leave for Istanbul on Thursday during his five-day official visit to Turkey.