Egypt-Turkey Business Council has called for separating political and economic issues between the two countries, adding that trade relations between the two countries are ongoing, despite the Egyptian decision to expel Turkish ambassador to Cairo for the country’s stance against Egypt’s new interim government.
Adel Lam’ey, head of the council’s Egyptian department, said there has been agreement with the Turkish side within the council after 30 June revolution to completely separate political from economic issues. He added that the council agreed that economic cooperation would continue even if political relations were severed.
Lam’ey told Al-Masry Al-Youm, “the council does not hope that mutual procedures between the two countries include economic issues, imports or exports or affect relations between Turkish investors and Egyptian cabinet, especially that around 50,000 Egyptian workers are involved within the investments that exceed US$2 billion.”
He also expressed the Turkish side interest in continuing the relations, especially after Egyptian imported products from Turkey have increased.
Lam’ey added that the council seeks to hold joint meetings between the two sides to reassure them their investments are safe.
Gamal Bayoumi, secretary general of Arab Investors Union, ruled out the ramifications of expelling Turkish ambassador on trade and economic relations. He explained that Egypt expelled the Turkish ambassador three time before due to its policies under rule of former President Gamal Abdel Nasser after offending verbal statements by the president. In 1961, the ambassador was expelled as Turkey did not recognize the Syrian regime.
Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Zeiny, head of construction materials department at Cairo Chamber of Commerce, downplayed effect of the move on Turkish steel exports to Egypt, adding that first shipment will arrive to Egypt on Tuesday.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
