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The outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Zimbabwe HE Hakan Kivanc has underlined the need for both Zimbabwe and Turkey to increase and diversify the volume of bilateral trade and economic relations.
The Ambassador said the current trade figures are below the potential with Turkish export volume to Zimbabwe standing at USD15million and import volume from Zimbabwe at 12 million.
Our Diplomatic correspondent Reginald Tapfumaneyi (RT) caught up with the Ambassador (H.E. HK) for an exclusive interview before the end of his tour of duty.
RT: Now that your tenure is about to come to an end what will you miss about Zimbabwe?
HE HK: Almost everything, because I really feel like a Zimbabwean citizen. Now that I am leaving, I am sad.
RT: You also interacted with many Zimbabweans from different social spheres, generally what’s your perception of Zimbabweans as a people?
HE HK: I have been in touch with people from all segments of society, what I would say is that Zimbabwe has a human quality that is very high, I am not talking about academic degrees but education.
Education starts with the family and a normal standard Zimbabwean is very well educated and well mannered.
There are some signs in societies like reading books and hard copy newspapers these are very significant things. Traditions of this land are very well and I never felt like an outsider in this country, people never made me feel that way.
RT: What can we say are the highlights of your tenure in Zimbabwe in terms of bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Turkey?
HE HK: Of course, this is quite a standard answer, there is a significant development on all sides and in all fields if I may say. I am sure within the next 5 years the relations would be at the best point.
Currently, our trade volume is far below our potential with around a 27,6million dollars in 2020. We attach high importance to increasing and diversifying the volume of bilateral trade as well as cooperation in all fields. In that regard, we have to enlarge our perspective, to strengthen our bilateral trade volume.
RT: A number of Turkish enterprises showed interest in Zimbabwe during the first days of the second Republic, what slowed the progress and what can be done so as to improve investments in this country?
HE HK: The bureaucracy should be minimized because some projects are still waiting at the bureaucratic level and I am sure the Zimbabwean Government will take necessary measures to facilitate the incoming investments here. They are infrastructure projects mostly and infrastructure is much needed here.
Masvingo to Mutare highway and Birchenough bridge rehabilitations are on the cards. We are still expecting Zimbabwean authorities to sign the MOU so that the company may start. As you know the cheapest mode of transport is maritime, railway, road, and then air, this project facilitates Zimbabwe’s access to the sea through Mozambique which is the fastest and cheapest route.
RT: Shifting to you as an individual H.E, recently you won the Diplomat of the year award overall, which attributes saw you scooping the awards?
HE HK: (laughs) I am doing my job, the best way I can. l am trying to develop both the relations between Turkey and Zimbabwe. I am extremely honoured and humbled to have the Diplomat of the year two years in row one in a Mediterranean region and the other one Overall so I had like 3 awards.
RT: On a parting note, who is Ambassador Hakan Kivanc
HE HK: I was born in 1963 in Ankara so next year I will be 60. l studied Political science, public administration, and economics and after graduating I joined the Foreign Ministry in 1985 so it has been 37 years in the service.
I am blessed with two kids, my wife is working in UN representation in Geneva, so the only thing that was difficult during my tenure in Zimbabwe was missing my family and especially during the covid era so I was an E-father.