Trade between Turkey, Ivory Coast increased 80%: Envoy

By Fulbert Yao

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast

The trade volume between Turkey and Ivory Coast has increased by 80 percent in five years, Ankara's ambassador to Yamoussoukro said late Monday.

Speaking at a ceremony marking Turkey's 94th anniversary of the proclamation of its Republic, Esra Demir said: "The volume of trade between Turkey and Ivory Coast has increased from around $200 million in 2011 to around $360 million in 2016, an 80 percent increase."

"The figures speak for themselves and show a steady increase in relations between the two countries," she said.

She added the Turkish investment in Ivory Coast exceeds $100 million and promotes job creation for citizens from both countries.

Demir praised the Ivorian government's efforts to bring peace in the country following the 2010-2011 post-election violence, which left 3,000 people dead.

"I would like to commend the efforts of the Ivorian government to pacify the country," she said.

The ambassador added that Turkey had also supported a UN peacekeeping mission in the country.

"During the UNOCI [United Nations Operation in Ivory] mandate, Turkey contributed to its peacekeeping mission through logistical and financial support," she said.

A political crisis rocked Ivory Coast in 2010-2011 after former President Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept the election result, and his followers claimed incumbent President Alassane Ouattara was not truly Ivorian.

Gbagbo, who ruled between 2000 and 2011, is currently being held by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, charged with crimes against humanity.