Dr Zeynel Abidin, Who was known only for his commercial mission until four mounts ago, has now undertaken a diplomatic mission as well.
Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem, President of the Executive Board of Erdem Holding Company, has become the honorary consul of Sudan, a country with respectable historical richness, which respects and has belief in the Turkish nation.
“We had some commercial relationships with Sudan... Taking account of the fact that Sudan needed Turkey and Turkey needed Sudan, I enhanced those relationships. Sudan plans to construct 9 dams and roads of 5500 km. length in the following years. Sudan has telecommunication and energy shortcomings. Moreover, she needs investments in river transportation.
Governmental mechanisms have been soundly established in Sudan. Economically, there are many commercial opportunities between the two countries. Private sector in Sudan has recently started developing. Private sector entrepreneurs have the opportunity to invest their money and make profits there. It is also possible for them to shift their companies completely to Sudan. Sudan is a country that started making use of arbitration much earlier than we have. Moreover, the Sudanese nation feels great respect for the Turkish nation, Mr. El Beşir, the President of Sudan, when talking about earlier Turks, uses the term “our ancestors”. Therefore, instead of the countries that have turned us down many times, we must serve and make profit in those other countries which take us as one and the same. I think we must give the priority to a country which lived together with Turkish people for 500 yeas, one which has never betrayed or denied the Ottoman Empire. Within this context, I believe that it is time we establish our commercial links with Sudan which has become an oil supplier country, and which, in 5 years’ time will be far greater than she is today. Last time we went to Sudan, we visited President Mr. El Beşir in his palace. Mr. El Beşir came to the door, and unlike the leaders of some other North African country leaders, said that the Ottomans were their ancestors, that it was their honour to welcome us, and that he was happy to have the opportunity to shake hands with us at the door as we had a strong fraternity between us. What I want to suggest is “Our businessmen must now establish their relationships with Sudan, which, for the time being, is not really appreciated, but will soon become a country where they will have to get in a line for business opportunities that they will not be able to achieve then. It is our generation’s duty to carry on the friendship with a society that has so much respect for the Turkish people.”
Dr Zeynel Abidin, who, after the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs stated their views and opinions about him to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign affairs which endorsed these views, became the honorary consul of Sudan, thinks that this duty must guide businessmen on their way to success, which will enable them to be more active in the country. Erdem Holding Company, which founded a company named “Ersu” in Sudan, will market the oil it will buy from the Sudan Ministry of Petroleum to other countries besides selling it to Tüpraş. As of June 2000, the oil purchase agreement will take effect, and the holding company aims at selling 5 million tones of petroleum at the outset.
Dr Zeynel Abidin, who was known only for his commercial mission until four months ago, has now undertaken a diplomatic mission as well. Dr Erdem’s remarks about this mission are as follows: “Our aim is to make efforts for Turkish businessmen. Sudan is a peaceable country away from anarchy, with a colourful cultural mosaic, which is respectable in international markets. The consulate which used to issue 7 visas a month for Sudan, is now issuing 700 visas monthly. Sudan must be a hope for Turkey.”