Zambia's President Rupiah Banda said Wednesday that his country aimed to take advantage of Turkey's experiences for development of his nation.

Banda, who is in Turkey with a business delegation, attended the Turkey-Zambia Trade and Investment Forum convened in Istanbul.

He said they came to Turkey to learn lessons from Turkey's experiences, adding, "Turkey is a developed country and we are happy to be given such a chance."

Banda said the forum was an important opportunity for them to promote their country in Turkey as his country offered a lot for foreign businessmen.

Banda also said that Zambia would amend its immigration law and arrange its visa regime for Turkish businessmen. He added that Zambia had plans to open an embassy in Turkey.

Rizanur Meral, head of the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) which organized the forum, told the meeting that his confederation had been carrying out a project, "the Foreign Trade Bridge" in a bid to help Turkish companies expand to different markets, such as Africa, Asia-Pasific region and Eurasia.

Within the scope of this program, Turkey hosted 107 ministers, 225 other government officials and 4,350 businessmen from 45 African countries, Meral said, adding, "Turkish companies added African markets to their target areas."

"Today, this is the reason why we are here with over 100 Turkish businessmen. Trade volume between Turkey and Zambia was 5.2 million USD last year. We believe it is not the potential between the two countries. We aim to make it 100 million as soon as possible. Because we believe in Zambia's potential," he said.

AA