09 July 2017•Update: 10 July 2017
By Nazli Yuzbasioglu
ANKARA
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Serbia in the fall to boost bilateral economic relations, Serbia's ambassador in Ankara has said.
In a recent interview with Anadolu Agency, Danilo Vucetic said the goal of the visit was "to quickly explore the possibilities of economic cooperation" among the two countries, adding a group of businesspeople would be accompanying Erdogan on the visit.
Vucetic said Serbian President Aleksander Vucic would be in Istanbul on Sunday -- upon the invitation of Erdogan -- to attend the 22nd World Petroleum Congress, which will last until July 13.
"The visit by President Vucic is another sign that demonstrates that both sides are willing to work extensively to improve economic ties," Vucetic said, adding the congress would provide an opportunity in this regard.
The ambassador recalled that Erdogan and Vucic had come together in Beijing in May, and had a "brief but very important" meeting on the sidelines of The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Vucetic said Serbia and Turkey sought to increase the current $850 million bilateral trade volume up to $1 billion, and called for further Turkish investment in Serbia, whose economy he said "has recovered after decades of stagnation and is now experiencing an economic growth of 2 to 3 percent."
"We think there is a new opportunity and more room for Turkish capital in Serbia now," he added.
Turkey's second-largest state lender Halkbank is currently the biggest Turkish investment in Serbia, where it operates 30 branch offices throughout the country.
Moreover, there are many Turkish textile businesses in the southern region providing employment for thousands of people.
