China, Türkiye hold forum to boost economic ties-Xinhua

China, Türkiye hold forum to boost economic ties

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2022-08-05 22:54:15

Hakan Uzun, deputy general manager of Turk Eximbank, speaks at the Belt and Road Financial Cooperation Forum in Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 4, 2022. The Belt and Road Financial Cooperation Forum aimed at boosting financial cooperation between Türkiye and China has brought together leading figures in finance, technology, and governance in Istanbul. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ISTANBUL, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A forum aimed at boosting financial cooperation between Türkiye and China has brought together leading figures in finance, technology, and governance in Istanbul.

The Belt and Road Financial Cooperation Forum held on Thursday focused on topics such as digital economy, green economy, technological development and innovation, cultural exchanges, and sustainable development.

Liu Yuhua, minister counsellor of economy and commerce at the Chinese embassy in Türkiye, said that in addition to cooperation in traditional fields, China and Türkiye have been expanding their cooperation in emerging fields such as finance, medicine, new energy and digital economy, bringing benefits to the two peoples.

"We have been in mutual exchange and communication for over a thousand years. We work together for the common welfare and development of the economies. We are proud that the friendship between Türkiye and China has increased day by day in the last 51 years," he said.

Gao Xiangyang, chairman of ICBC Turkey and Istanbul Businessmen and Industrialists Association, said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) meets the actual needs of Türkiye's development and has effectively promoted the country's infrastructure and economic and trade development.

Mahmut Kayacik, executive director of Türkiye Wealth Fund, presented details about the newly established Istanbul Finance Center, inviting Chinese firms' participation and support.

"Due to its geopolitical location and the opportunities it provides, the center has tremendous potential to add value to the BRI initiative," said Kayacik, adding "Chinese firms taking their place in our finance center would boost relations between Türkiye and China financially and economically."

Another topic of the forum was promoting the use of local currencies in bilateral trade.

"We aim to increase the volume of the local currencies used in the trade between China and Türkiye," said Hakan Uzun, deputy general manager of Turk Eximbank.

"With the support of the swap agreements signed between Turkish and Chinese central banks, we are preparing to finance the Chinese yuan to the Turkish traders who import raw materials from China," he added.

Liu Yuhua, minister counsellor of economy and commerce at the Chinese embassy in Türkiye, speaks at the Belt and Road Financial Cooperation Forum in Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 4, 2022. The Belt and Road Financial Cooperation Forum aimed at boosting financial cooperation between Türkiye and China has brought together leading figures in finance, technology, and governance in Istanbul. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Participants attend the Belt and Road Financial Cooperation Forum in Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 4, 2022. The Belt and Road Financial Cooperation Forum aimed at boosting financial cooperation between Türkiye and China has brought together leading figures in finance, technology, and governance in Istanbul. (Xinhua/Shadati)