South Africa and Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), agreeing to advance cooperation in science and innovation.
This is according to a Department of Science and Innovation statement.
The MOU was signed by minister of higher education, science and innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, and Turkey’s foreign affairs minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
According to the statement, the signed MOU will see deepening of the cooperation relations between the two countries.
Both SA and Turkey recognise the importance of science and technology in the development of their respective national economies, and the ability of science, technology, and innovation (STI) to improve the standard of living of communities.
Nzimande believes the partnership will be beneficial to both countries, particularly in the areas of joint research, capacity building and in advancement of scholarly cooperation in areas of STI.
“The partnership will promote inter-institutional cooperation, exchange of scientists, researchers, technical experts, scholars, joint research, as well as the exchange of science, innovation, and technological policy information in advancing science diplomacy between the two countries.”
SA and Turkey have maintained strategic bilateral political, economic and cultural relations since 1991, says the statement, adding that the bilateral trade between the two countries has seen a gradual growth over recent years.
During the period April to November 2022, South African exports to Turkey increased by approximately 18%.
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