Turkey to buy oil from Nigeria, Ghana in barter scheme

Turkey will be purchasing oil from Nigeria and Ghana through a barter scheme arrangement, State Minister for Foreign Trade Zafer Caglayan announced yesterday following visits to those countries. Officials in both countries expressed interest in the arrangement, in which Turkey will make investments in tourism, energy, health and infrastructure in exchange for oil. Caglayan's meeting with Ghanaian Vice President John Dramani Mahama marked Turkey's first official ministerial-level visit to that country in a decade. Caglayan, speaking about his visit to Ghana accompanied by some 100 businessmen, said Mahama had praised Turkey's economic success at a time when most European countries are still mired in crisis. Mahama also said his government is closely watching democratic and political developments in Turkey. Mahama added that direct flights between Turkey and Ghana would help boost relations and that joint projects by businessmen from both countries would offer great opportunities. Caglayan said Turkey wants to contribute to Ghana's development and commercial growth, adding that Turkish contractors are very interested in its construction sector. During his visit, Caglayan also attended a Ghana-Turkey Business Forum.