Uganda: Trade with Turkey Rises to Sh48 Billion
Kampala — Trade volumes between Uganda and Turkey have risen to sh48.4 billion in 2009 from just $1m in 2001.The chairman of Turkish Airlines, Hamdi Topcu disclosed the trade figures at Entebbe on Monday after Turkish Airlines made its maiden flights from Istanbul to Entebbe.
The arrival of Turkish Airlines is expected to open a new travel window, spur trade and reduce travel costs to Europe as competition for the region picks up. Turkish Airlines is the fourth largest airline in Europe by passenger volumes according to officials.
The Airbus TK 601 that carries over 200 passengers touched Entebbe international airport at 7 a.m. with several dignitaries on board among them the Mayor of Istanbul, Kafir Topbas.
Current trade volumes are however largely in favour of Turkey with textiles dominating import products into Uganda.
“This development is very promising. I have no doubt that this flight that starts today will make significant contributions,” said Topbas.
Turkish airlines will fly three times weekly six hour non stop between Istanbul, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
The airline has meanwhile launched a promotional fare running from June 14 to July 14 in which return trip tickets from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam will cost euros 367 and euros 376 from Istanbul to Entebbe including taxes.
Aviation experts say that Turkish Airlines will offer reduced costs to mainland European destinations like London, Brussels and Holland although passengers have to transit through Istanbul, Turkey. The entry of the large Airbus aircraft also adds to Entebbe’s emerging status as a regional hub away from the dominance of Nairobi.
The minister of state for industry, Simon Lokodo said in a statement that international passenger throughput at Entebbe has risen to 929,052 in 2009 up from a paltry 118,527 in 1991. Civil Aviation Authority projections put the airport’s international inflows at 1.8 million passengers by 2022.
“It is evident that added flights will immensely contribute towards this growth and even surpass the anticipated figures,” said Lokodo.
David Mugabe and Patrick Jaramogi