Turkish firms make inroads at African expo

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Leading Turkish construction and manufacturing companies are showcasing their products and services at the African Construction Expo -- the biggest on the continent – with hopes of penetrating the Sub-Saharan Africa market.

“This is the first time we are exhibiting in South Africa, but we have already gotten an overwhelming response mainly from people who want to be our distributors,” Yonetim Kurulu Uyesi, a member of the board of BVS Bulbuloglu Cranes, told Anadolu Agency Wednesday.

Uyesi said the leading crane manufacturer has a huge market base across the world but now wants to get into the African market, where it currently supplies equipment to only a few countries.

Kemal Eke, sales and marketing director of Tensaform, said his company was exhibiting in South Africa because the market is less crowded with international construction companies.

“We are looking for partners in Africa to work with us instead of clients,” he told Anadolu Agency at Tensaform’s exhibition stall at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.

Eke said they are looking for partners on the continent who already know the markets that the company has not been able to reach so far.

He said his company has just finished constructing and installing coverings at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar, which will host the 2020 soccer World Cup. They are also busy working on cover installations on two stadiums in the Gulf state.

“We have also received a good response at this expo. There is potential for Turkish products here,” said Mustafa Akman, chief executive officer of AK Export Import, a steel production firm based in Istanbul.

He said many people at the exhibition were impressed that Turkish steel products are fairly priced yet are of high quality.

- Backbone of Turkish economy

Turkish Ambassador Elif Comoglu Ulgen and Demet Isil Karakurt, commercial counsellor at the Turkish embassy in Pretoria, welcomed the Turkish exhibitors.

“Fifteen prominent Turkish companies are attending the expo for the first time. This is an indication that the Turkish construction sector is eyeing the market in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa,” she said.

Karakurt said the Turkish construction sector has been the backbone of Turkey’s economic growth for the last two decades.

“Turkey is amongst the leading countries in the world, running in the top 10 with a good reputation of constructors and construction,” she said, adding “there are a number of government buildings, national parliaments, airports, stadiums and hotels among others across the world which have been built by Turkish constructors”.

The three-day expo features more than 9,500 construction professionals from over 65 countries and provides a platform to conduct business, network and learn.