ANKARA, Sept 8 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkey’s Trade Minister, Ruhsar Pekcan, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, discussed steps to reach bilateral trade target of 100 billion U.S. dollars.
“We assessed means of achieving 100-billion-dollar trade volume between the two countries. We discussed our export capacity to the US, on a sectoral basis, such as civil aviation, automotive, automotive supply industry, jewellery, furniture, textile, and what we can do to activate this capacity,” Pekcan said.
In this context, the two ministers discussed Turkey’s access to certain supply channels in the U.S., and agreed to prepare programmes for companies, by sectors.
“We will start this process as soon as possible. We also conveyed our concrete expectations regarding the removal of certain obstacles and practices in our bilateral trade,” she said.
Ross will continue his Turkey visit until Tuesday and is expected to meet with representatives of Turkish private sector.
“We are due to meet on Tuesday once again, to go over the outcome of the visit, as well as, determine our road-map,” Pekcan added.
The U.S. agenda covers import of agricultural products, applications in pharmacology, lowering logistics costs, data protection regulations, and challenges facing American companies, due to steps taken in the 5G area.
The aviation sector in Turkey, energy, health and medical devices, e-chemistry and finance are the primary focus of the U.S. side.
Ross’ visit comes after strained relations between the two NATO countries over Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defence system, due to which Washington suspended partnership with Ankara, in the F-35 fighter jet programme in July.– NNN-ANADOLU
