Turkish business body opens new branch in Zambia

Turkey's Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) has opened a new office in Zambia as part of its 2018 drive to extend its presence in Africa.

In a statement released Tuesday, the association's contact points in 77 countries were now 207.

Senior MUSIAD official Ibrahim Uyar said the association aims to have representation in 30 African countries by the end of this year.

MUSIAD has already said 2018 will be the "year of Africa".

Uyar said new representation offices will be launched in Tanzania, Ghana and Ethiopia soon.

"We believe that the trade volume between Turkey and Zambia will increase to a considerable level with the help of our new office," Uyar said.

Abdullah Demir -- MUSIAD's newly-appointed Zambia representative -- said the association will work with the representatives of the business community and its counterpart organizations in the country.

Last month, Turkey and Zambia signed 12 agreements covering agriculture, stockbreeding, fishery, tourism as well as investment, sports, and diplomacy in capital Lusaka during the first-ever official visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the East African country.