By Addis Getachew
ADDIS ABABA
Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci paid a visit to The Anadolu Agency's bureau in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Thursday.
Zeybekci was in the Ethiopian capital to head a delegation of 200 Turkish businessmen for the second Ethiopia-Turkish Business Council Forum, which was held in Addis Ababa earlier the same day.
"I am happy to see AA operating in Addis Ababa," the minister said as he toured the premises.
"AA is playing a very important role as bridge between Ethiopia and Turkey, and between Africa and Turkey," he added.
He said the Turkish Economy Ministry was cooperating with the agency regarding coverage of its activities and the publication of economy news in general.
Zeybekci was briefed by AA officials on the bureau's activities, while editors and writers answered the minister's questions.
Zeybekci said he had held extensive discussions with his Ethiopian counterpart earlier Thursday.
"We are in the process of agreeing on the establishment of a free trade zone," he said.
"Ethiopia [along with Djibouti] is the gateway to East Africa," the minister asserted. "Turkey cherishes its cooperation with Ethiopia."
Zeybekci noted that his delegation would exert efforts to double a loan from Turkey's Exim Bank, the country's credit bank, to Ethiopia.
He said loans from the bank to Ethiopia currently stood at $350 million.
Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome previously served as his country's ambassador to Turkey.
The Turkish business delegation arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, following a visit to Djibouti.
www.aa.com.tr/en
