A delegation from Turkey’s rapidly-growing electronics sector will travel to South Africa this month on a trade mission aimed at cultivating partnerships with South African importers, distributors, agents, retailers and wholesalers.

Under the auspices of the Istanbul Electrical – Electronics, Machinery and Information Technology Exporter’s Association (TET), representatives of 15 leading companies in the electronics, electrical and cabling sector will meet local businesses in Sandton, Johannesburg, on 31 October.

Boasting advantages of an advanced electronics sector, significant R&D spend and central geographical location, Turkey is proactively expanding its export programme and making inroads into the world’s electronics and electro-technology industries.

Fatih Kemal Ebiclioglu, pesident of the Istanbul Electrical – Electronics, Machinery and Information Technology Exporter’s Association (TET), says Turkey’s electrical, electronics and IT sectors have realised record growth in recent years, with total global exports now exceeding $12-billion.

In line with the goals of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) between Turkey and South Africa and the agreement between Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this trade mission seeks to develop closer ties with South African business,” he says.

With South Africa Turkey’s most important trading partner in Africa, bilateral trade volume reached approximately $1,6-billion in 2012.

Aiming to build on these good relations, the delegation comprises representatives from a number of suppliers of telecommunications and power technologies.