South African Deputy Trade Minister, Elizabeth Thabethe has said that they will support Turkey's bid to host the EXPO 2020 in Izmir, Anadolu agency reported.
In the scope of raising the trade volume between Turkey and South Africa, "Foreign Trade and Investing Mission" titled meeting held by South African Ministry of Trade and Industry in Izmir on Thursday.
More than 20 South African businessmen came together with representatives of several firms and held bilateral talks at the organization in Izmir.
Guest deputy minister told journalists that by holding this organization, they aim to improve the cooperation in the fields of energy, mining, jewellery, textile, garment industry, infrastructure, information and communication technologies, aviation, automotive, hotel management and engineering services.
Minister said that after the year of 2005 the trade volume kept rising between two countries, however the economic recession in 2008 caused a downfall in the figures.
Thabethe stressed that they make efforts to increase the volume again.
Upon a reminder and question about Izmir's candidacy for EXPO 2020, Thabethe said, "Turkey supported South Africa for the 2010 World Cup and now it's our turn. We do support Izmir's candidacy for EXPO 2020."
Candidate cities for EXPO 2020 along with Turkey's western port city of Izmir are Russia's Yekaterinburg, Thailand's Ayutthaya, Brazil's Sao Paulo, and the United Arab Emirates' Dubai.
The voting for the 2020 EXPO host will be held next year in November.