The further development of strategic collaboration between Turkey and Sudan was one of the main topics discussed during the Turkish-Sudanese business forum held in Istanbul Tuesday.

Turkish companies in Sudan play a big role in the county's development projects, said Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, during the forum organized by Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) on 22 January.

The trade volume increased gradually to $220 million from $48 million, from 2002 to 2006 but that growth is not satisfactory, he said. “We need to augment the trade volume to nearly $1 billion in near future.” By increasing strategic collaboration and investments in the agriculture, industry and services sectors, Sudan and Turkey may reach that goal, he added.

“Turkey neighbors seven countries. Sudanese businessmen do not only want to emerge in the Turkish market, but also to use it as a passage to European and other international markets,” said President of Sudan Republic, H.E.Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir.

Inviting Turkish investors, al-Bashir said “Sudan is a bridge between Arabic and African nations, like Turkey bridging Europe and Asia and its doors are wide open to Turkish entrepreneurs,” adding “we will give priority to Turkish businessmen willing to do business in Sudan.”

Sudan has vast areas of fertile land, as well as gold mines, cotton fields and oil reserves that are ready for further exploitation. “The oil-rich Sudan, Africa's biggest country, has sparked an investment boom, and Turkish companies have already won large government construction contracts to build bridges over the Niles,” said Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem, former Honorary Consul of Sudan.