Sustainable environmental and economic relations of Turkiye and republic of South Africa – a focus study for the period 2000-2010

. As one of the primary issues facing Turkiye, environmental degradation is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Therefore, a policy-level reorientation may be required to address this situation. Based on this perspective, during the increase of mutual economic developments between Turkiye and South Africa, the impact of renewable energy (RE) use, financial develoment, urbanization, and agriculture emissions of carbon dioxide should be analyzed separately using a dataset spanning a considerable period of time. South Africa develops its national environmental policy through a consultation process known as the National Consultative Environmental Policy Process (CONNEPP). The process is designed to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders in South Africa to contribute to the development of a new environmental policy. With the end of the apartheid period in 1994, the Republic of South Africa initiated a comprehensive program of economic reform and development going forward and made significant progress in many sectors after 2000. At this time, Turkiye, as situated on a strategic location regarding global trade, was expanding its operations worldwide. The purpose of the research is to analyze the Turkish RSA relations focusing on the first decade of 21st century. As a basis of our methodology, we have researched achieves and business records as tangible verifiable information about this time period. Although the global financial crisis of 2008 affected this country for some time; the development line and ongoing momentum in the automotive industry sector, as well as sectors such as construction, banking, investment regulations, energy, telecommunications, mining and agriculture, are worth mentioning. For this specific research article, we believe that it is imperative to focus the 2000-2010 period which is the


Introduction
A national policy, especially related to a sustainable environmental and economic relationship, is designed to be a statement of the government's guiding principles and We have first presented the course of economic relations between Turkiye and the Republic of South Africa during 2000-2010 period where we have provided in depth information on joint economic commission and economic agreements; and focused on trade during early 2000's and provided foreign trade values during this 10 year period, following that the import and export information and the detailed view of economic relations between Turkiye and the Republic of South Africa is presented [4]. The results of the research provides valuable information to researchers, government officials and scholars on how the successful economic relations of the 2020s are reached by establishing strong ties via consistent communications and bond-strengthening policy making between two countries that are geographically distant [2].

The Course of Economic Relations between Turkiye and the Republic of South Africa during 2000-2010 period
The RSA-Turkiye Joint Business Council was established on June 24, 1998 with the agreement signed by Afrikaanse Handels Institute (AHI) and The Council of Economic Relations (DEIK) and its objectives include improving trade, providing the necessary coordination to collect and disseminate information about technology, industry, investment and trade relations in interest of both countries, solving the elements that hinder bilateral trade, prioritizing industrial and technological cooperation and promoting participation in fairs [5] Following the signing of the Protocol on Political Consulting and Consultations in 2000, the Mutual Protection and Promotion of Investments Agreement was signed and according to this agreement, the investments could be nationalized for the public good and on the condition that compensation is paid at the market value of the day, not in contrast to the internal legal structure of each country, the qualified technical and administrative personnel of the investing party and their demands regarding their entry, residence, work and travel to the country shall be positively assessed and disputes shall be resolved in good faith [2].
The  [2]. The reason the foreign trade balance in bilateral relations is constantly against us is because of the gold imports from South Africa. Solid relations between Turkiye and South Africa coincide with the outcome of apartheid rule in 1994. In 1990, the first three products in our exports were nuts, tobacco, colemanite; wheat, corn and iron concentrates in imports. Today, the product range has expanded. Currently, South Africa is Turkiye's best trading partner.
Economic and trade relations between RSA and Turkiye have been ongoing since 1966 and trade relations, which were low until 1980 due to the foreign trade policies implemented in our country, started to increase rapidly after 1981. With the Africa Expansion Policy implemented by Turkiye in 1998, our country attaches importance to developing and diversifying its relations with RSA, which is an active country on the African continent [2].
In order to improve relations, Turkiye aimed to establish a comprehensive political dialogue, high-level bilateral visits and political consultation mechanisms. Bilateral relations, which did not form a significant trade volume until the 2000s, gained momentum after this year. The volume of trade between 180 and 220 million dollars until the aforesaid years has increased year after year [7] [3].
Due to the visits between both countries, the legal basis of the signed agreements was established, and as a result of the business delegation meetings and fairs held afterwards, the approach was developed and the embassies, which was not uninterested in such developments, supported the process with brochures and articles [2].
As a result of the growth of the economies of Turkiye and the Republic of South Africa by around 4-10% in the last three years and Turkiye's expansion policy to Africa, the search for alternative markets by Turkish businessmen has found its place and the total trade volume between the two countries increased by 439% When we look at the trade balance, there has always been an improvement against us. The year the imbalance was minimal, 2000, when a deficit of USD 100,761,000 was given; the maximum year was 2007, when a deficit of USD 1,518,513,000 was made. The year with the highest trade volume was 2007 with USD 2,826,083,000; the lowest year was 2000 with USD 242,859,000 [8].

Turkiye's Exports to The Republic of South Africa during early 2000s
South Africa's presence in the same time zone as Turkiye for most of the year, gratifying visits made at different times, intensified direct flights of THY, positive possibilities in terms of products due to the fact that opposite seasons are experienced simultaneously, the existence of Mersin port connected to sea transportation and cultural sympathy arising from the absence of a permit for racial discrimination in Turkish history, ease of doing business and investment compared to many developing countries and warm approach to foreign investment, all increases our country's export rates and increases the potential [2].
In between 2006-2007, our exports of industrial products to South Africa, where our export growth is at the forefront, were 112 million dollars in 2003, then increased by 466% to 634 million dollars in 2007. What Turkish companies exporting to South Africa complain about are the country's high protection walls. For this reason, Turkiye's export figure in 2000, which did not realize a serious export but rose from time to time, is 71.049 thousand dollars [1].
Turkiye's exports, which rose in 2001, were USD 77,871 and in 2002, it was USD 85,453,000. This upward trend continued in 2008 and the figure was USD 1,238,632,000. In the following years, the decline began. The export figure for 2009 was USD 866,721 and for 2010, export figure was USD 369,269,000 [3].
According to the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK); According to the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK); when we look at our export items that stand out by year on the basis of products; In 2000, motor vehicles, tractors, bicycles, motorcycles and others have a value of more than USD 13 million, special woven textile, lace, tapestries and embroideries have USD 10,271,297 and electrical machinery and appliances, units and parts have USD 6,145,211,000 [8].

Turkiye's Imports from the Republic of South Africa
When we look at the import rates carried out by Turkiye from South Africa over the years, we do not see complete stability, there have been increases from time to time and there have been decreases in some years [2].
In As advantageous products for Turkiye's imports from South Africa; precious stones, iron and steel products, wool, yarn, textile, heavy duty machinery and devices, units and parts can be counted. In general, the products that constitute South African imports are gold, coal, mineral ores, automotive spare parts, stainless steel sheet metal, iron and steel products, raw leather and silver [2].
Turkish companies importing to our country from South Africa are Ereğli Demir Çelik, Granitaş, Aselsan, Borusan, Tepe-Knauf, Gama, mopak, Çukurova Construction, Başarı Electronic, Doğuş Auto, Arçelik, Eczacıbaşı, Sanko and Koçtaş. Year-on-year imports are manifesting themselves in a clear way. For example, in 2005, our imports increased by 507% compared to 2002. Gold, which is shown as the most important import item, is also the primary cause of the foreign trade deficit between South Africa and Turkiye. Gold accounted for 42% of our total imports from South Africa in 2009 and 2010 [3].
South Africa ranks 2nd in Turkiye's exports with 337 million dollars and a share of 7% in the products from petroleum and petroleum sector, which constitutes an important part of the automotive industry [3]. The inclusion of automotive products under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between South Africa and the European Union (EU), which began talks in 2005, will negatively affect Turkiye, which exports automotive sub-industrial products to South Africa [2].

The Detailed View of Economic Relations Between Turkiye and the Republic of South Africa during early 2000s.
The first contact between Turkiye and South Africa was established in June 2000, when South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad visited Turkiye since 1994, when power fell from the white minority to the black majority. Private sector representatives were also present during the first high-level political visit. With the end of the apartheid regime in 1994, the Republic of South Africa initiated a comprehensive programme of economic reform and development going forward and made significant progress in many sectors after 2000. Although the global financial crisis of 2008 affected this country for some time; the development line and ongoing momentum in the automotive industry sector, as well as sectors such as construction, banking, investment regulations, energy, telecommunications, mining and agriculture, are worth mentioning [9].
In world politics, Turkiye, which assumed the same role in 2009-2010, is likely to be a strategic partner with South Africa, which will increase its effectiveness by performing its temporary role as a United Nations (UN) Security Council Non-Permanent Member in 2011-2012. In addition, according to the UN's 2012 World Economic Outlook Report; The fact that the biggest economic growth on the African continent will be experienced in South Africa shows that there is a potential structure for the future in this region and that Turkiye acts decisively by demonstrating its determination to improve its economic relations with South Africa, indicating that we are on the right track [11].

Result
With the end of the apartheid regime in 1994, the Republic of South Africa initiated a comprehensive program of economic reform and development going forward and made significant progress in many sectors after 2000. Although the global financial crisis of 2008 affected this country for some time; the development line and ongoing momentum in the automotive industry sector, as well as sectors such as construction, banking, investment regulations, energy, telecommunications, mining and agriculture, are worth mentioning [3].
The Republic of South Africa, which opens all economic sectors to foreign investment and continues its stimulus policies as a government; With the close relations it has developed with the countries of the region, it continues its opening to the world with maximum effort and excitement by cooperating firmly with developing countries and European countries with huge economic power [2].
The 2010 World Cup event in this country has both enhanced South Africa's reputation with the countries of the world and added economic value to the country [12].
Although not all existing potential can be used, RSA-Turkiye trade has been increasing steadily in recent years. The fact that both countries have a growing economy, and their economic structures serve as the basis for complementing each other in many sectors, indicates that bilateral trade can be much greater [13]. Open sectors for Turkish companies that are seen as able to enter the RSA market through both investment and exports are automotive, apparel and textiles, machinery, glass and glass goods, construction and white goods-electrical appliances [14].
Apart from gold, coal and petroleum products, there are many opportunities in the industrial sector that need to be focused in a way that is intense, active and continuous. South Africa's openness to the agricultural sector will allow for the maximum increase of commercial opportunities for Turkiye. Within the framework of mutual interest and opportunities, a higher volume of foreign trade is expected in the coming period when looking at the short and medium-term agenda of both countries. Turkish companies have started to take part in public housing projects that RSA local governments have decided to implement [2].
All countries that have changed their perspectives and approaches to Africa in recent years and have an important place in the world economy are closely following the developments in South Africa. Turkiye, which evokes China's mobility a decade ago and which is expected to have similar developments with the support provided by developed countries in the next decade, has not been far from the movement in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, and Turkiye, which is constantly moving in a negative direction in the trade balance, has turned to the role of more active exporter. A new African perspective has been created by our country's businessmen and a special importance has been attributed to sub-Saharan Africa, especially South Africa in particular, and in the short term this region has been put under scrutiny [15].
If the business communities in our country surround the region at an intense pace and expand their R&D efforts, a vibrant movement environment will occur in the markets with the interest and support of developed countries [16].
Although there were no full-fledged connection mechanism with South Africa during 2000-2010 period; the presence of cultural and historical motifs that are relatively more attractive and closer to South Africa will allow Turkiye with no historical background without discrimination in language, religion, race and gender in its past to become a structure that has evolved into foreign trade in bilateral relations. Turkiye that will make its presence felt in Africa will be able to offer a wide range of business opportunities for its country [2].
The two countries, where there are contrasting seasons, are expected to deepen the foreign trade relationship in complementary products by taking the opportunity to create new opportunities. The difficulties in export growth should be eliminated by comparing with other countries on the distance. Resolving security with an optimistic approach without overestimating it will boost the economic relations between the two countries.
As far as we can follow the developments in today's world, the countries that increase their effectiveness in world politics are Brazil, India, Turkiye and the Republic of South Africa. The fact that the last two countries, which constitute the basis of this study, use the same language in the political sphere by expanding their economic relations as far as possible will undoubtedly be enough to increase the effectiveness of the two countries on the international field [1].
The two countries' participation in international fair organizations will enabled them to carry out original and lasting business contacts and establish deep and functional economic connections. In addition to its embassy in Ankara; despite South Africa having honorary consulates in Istanbul, Mersin and Izmir, Turkiye, which declared 2005 the "Year of Africa" to expand its expansion to the continent, has an honorary consulate only in Cape Town [3].
After one decade over 2010, the Republic of South Africa is Turkiye's most important trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our trade with RSA, which has the largest economy in the region, constitutes approximately 15 percent of our total trade with Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2019, the trade volume was 1.3 billion USD. In 2020, bilateral trade volume reached 1.5 billion USD [14].
As indicated previously, one of the primary issues facing Turkiye, environmental degradation is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Therefore, a policy-level reorientation may be required to address this situation. Based on this perspective, during the increase of mutual economic developments between Turkiye and South Africa, the impact of renewable energy (RE) use, financial develoment, urbanization, and agriculture emissions of carbon dioxide should be analyzed separately using a dataset spanning a considerable period of time. South Africa develops its national environmental policy through a consultation process known as the National Consultative Environmental Policy Process (CONNEPP). The process is designed to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders in South Africa to contribute to the development of a new environmental policy. Turkish investments in RSA are worth more than $600 million. Investments are mainly concentrated in the mining and textile sectors. In addition, there are companies that mainly import, wholesale and retail Turkish textiles, carpets and food, mainly in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and this mutual interest and cooperation is getting developed and intense. Both governments and private sectors must focus on the current international trade, economic and political status-quo and enhance the mutually beneficial relationships.