Turkey looks to boost trade ties with Sweden
The desire to boost trade ties was made in a meeting between Turkey's Minister of Transport and Sweden's Minister of Housing in Ankara
ANKARA
Turkey wants to boost even further its trade volume with Sweden from the current $3 billion level by diversifying cooperation in information technology, ports and communication sectors, Turkish Transportation Minister said Wednesday.
Turkey's Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Lutfi Elvan made the remarks during his meeting with Sweden's Minister of Housing and Urban Development Mehmet Kaplan in Ankara Wednesday.
Both sides agreed that the current trade volume of $3 billion did not reflect the true potential of bilateral ties.
“We want to look for ways to increase trade with Sweden, which we think is very important,” Elvan told the visiting Swedish minister.
He also welcomed the appointment of two Swedish politicians of Turkish descents as ministers after The Social Democratic Party in Sweden topped the general election on Sept. 14.
He also said Turkey was happy with the cooperation in the communication sector. Turkcell, a leading telecom operator in Turkey, is working with Ericsson, a top Swedish communications technology and services provider.
“We believe the two countries need to take new steps to cooperate in information technology field,” Elvan said.
"Sweden is located in a zone of intense maritime traffic. It is important to enhance our port ties through a ‘sister port’ agreement that will create a mutually-beneficial exchange of ideas and culture," he said.
The Turkish minister also said Turkey’s shipbuilding industry was ready to meet Swedish demands for all types of ships and marine vehicles.
He also thanked Kaplan for Sweden's support for Turkey's EU-membership bid.
The Swedish minister said he was pleased to see Turkey's rapid development in the digital economy.
"Turkey is a good example among developing countries. Turkey's 2023 targets are impressive. Sweden and Turkey can work together in communication technology," he said.
The trade volume between Sweden and Turkey reached 2.5 billion in first nine months of this year, according to the Turkish Statistical Authority. Turkey's export to the country stood at $1 billion, while Turkey's import from Sweden reached $1.5 billion.
The bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Sweden was $3.1 billion in 2013.
According to the Turkish government, Turkey’s main exports to Sweden are textile and ready-to-wear products; Turkey is Sweden’s third biggest supplier in textile. Other exports include motor vehicles and parts, televisions, refrigerators and ceramic products.
Turkey’s imports from Sweden include iron and steel products, machinery and parts, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, drugs and other chemicals.
