Murat Akyuz, head of the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters' Association, speaks at a presentation on the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 30, 2018. Turkish businessmen on Friday voiced high hopes for the upcoming China International Import Expo to help reduce imbalance in bilateral trade and boost cooperation between the two countries. (Xinhua/He Canling)

ISTANBUL, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkish businessmen on Friday voiced high hopes for the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) to help reduce imbalance in bilateral trade and boost cooperation between the two countries.

"The expo is very important, it will certainly help Turkey to reduce its trade deficit," said Murat Kolbasi from the Turkey-China Business Council under the Foreign Economic Relations Board.

As the first national expo in the world that focuses on imports, the CIIE is a practical step taken by China to support economic globalization and a good platform for Turkey to show its national image and promote its signature products, as Beijing has put a premium on a healthy and sustainable trade relationship with Ankara, Cui Wei, the Chinese consul general in Istanbul, told an audience of some 300 in the city.

Zhu Guangyao, the commercial counsellor with the Chinese embassy in Turkey, spoke of stronger demand in China for quality and signature products and services from other parts of the world as the country's economy has been transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development.

Zhu described the CIIE, slated for Nov. 5-10 in Shanghai, as an opportunity for Turkish businessmen to have a share of China's imports valued at over 10 trillion U.S. dollars over the next five years.

"The upcoming expo in Shanghai will be a very big opportunity for us, as one of our primary goals is to increase our partnership and cooperation with China," said Armagan Vurdu, secretary-general of the Istanbul Minerals and Metals Exporters Association.

"The export is a golden opportunity for us, so far it has attracted a large interest among Turkish companies," said Murat Akyuz, head of the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters' Association.

Like Vurdu, he referred to the imbalance in trade with China, expressing hope for the Shanghai expo to help reduce the gap by increasing Turkish exports "in a significant way."

"I also appreciate China's efforts in trying to increase its trade relations with Turkey," he added.

In the view of Cigdem Kamahli, a country desk expert from the Turkish Ministry of Economy, Turkey and China are far away from each other with Turkish businessmen not knowing much about China, "but it is the right moment for them to enter the Chinese market without any hesitation."

The Turkish side has so far booked a space of 600 square meters with the CIIE in the exhibition areas for textiles, medical equipment, electronics and appliances.