Egypt -Turkish trade talks

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry Rasheed Mohammed Rasheed held talks Tuesday with Turkish Foreign Trade Minister Kursad Tuzmen following his arrival in the Turkish capital.

The two ministers will resume talks Wednesday before the Egyptian official meets other senior officials including Deputy Premier Mehmet Ali Sahin, Finance Minister Kamal Unkitan, Industry and Trade Minister Ali Coskun.

Rasheed told MENA that Egypt was keen on boosting relations with Turkey, especially in the trade domain.

He added that he will keep the Turkish officials posted on the great investment potentials in Egypt.

The Minister said that Cairo intends to sign free trade agreement with Ankara, hoping that this could happen in the near future.

Tuzmen, for his part, said there is a very good chance that the trade exchange between the two countries could be doubled in 2005, compared to the current $750 million.

The Turkish Minister said his country was looking forward to inking a free trade agreement with Egypt.