TURKEY and Singapore have enjoyed formal diplomatic relations for over 50 years, dating back to Feb 12, 1969. However, our bonds have more deeper and historical roots.

On Sunday (Nov 7), we will mark the 120th anniversary of the appointment of the first resident Turkish Consul General in Singapore, Ahmed Ataullah Efendi.

Fast forward to today, Singapore and Turkey are two prominent business, finance, trade, and transport hubs in their respective regions. The Strategic Partnership between our countries since 2014 represents a clear recognition of the significant benefits that all-encompassing bilateral cooperation would provide for our countries and neighbouring regions.

The free trade agreement (FTA) of 2017 provides a further stepping stone to tap into the considerable economic potential between the two countries, whether in trade, investment, or e-commerce, which the FTA covers.

However, Turkey's vision is not limited to these areas only. Continuing regular political dialogue and exchanges, cooperation in the fight against terrorism, improving cultural and people-to-people links, including tourism, and enhancing partnerships between universities and research institutes are intrinsic elements of our bilateral agenda.

Turkish Airlines has proven to be a resilient and reliable bridge between Turkey and Singapore, even during the darkest moments of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Moreover, we are encouraged by the enthusiasm and determination of PSA International, a major investor and the operator of the Mersin International Port, to expand the port further as a critical gateway to the Mediterranean.

Our bilateral trade is once again on a steep upward trajectory. The trade volume between Turkey and Singapore between January and September 2021 has already surpassed the bilateral trade figure for the whole of 2020.

We are looking forward to contributing to Singapore's supply chain security, including through the export of agri-food products, in order to undergird her resilience in similar future crises.

Improving connectivity, collaborating in innovation, digitalisation, and renewable energy, enhancing links between Turkish and Singaporean entrepreneurs and manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and fighting against climate change are elements of this broader bilateral agenda.

Turkey already ranks as the world's 12th biggest country in terms of renewable energy. Digital transformation is a priority as a means to boost Turkey's dynamism further.

Moreover, 3.2 million registered SMEs in Turkey contribute to 74 per cent of the total employment, 64.5 per cent of the overall revenues, and nearly 56 per cent of exports.

According to the Turkish Investment Office, Turkish startups raised a total of US$1.4 billion from 206 deals during the first 9 months of 2021.

Having fully vaccinated 78 per cent of the population and administered more than 115 million vaccination doses, Turkey has accepted Covid-19 as an endemic disease since July. As Turkey and Singapore are shaking up and re-emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic, the prospects for carrying forward our relations to new heights are exciting and the potential is real.

Singapore also figures prominently in the context of Turkey's "Asia Anew" initiative, which aims to deepen Turkey's bonds with Asia, including South-east Asia as a region of priority. As a gateway and a hub for South-east Asia, Singapore is already an important partner for Turkey in implementing its initiative in a more effective and result-oriented manner across the region.

Turkey has been an Asean Sectoral Dialogue Partner since 2017 and has embassies in all 10 Asean member states. Asean's balanced, rational and principled approach to regional developments very much resonates with Turkey's approach to South-east Asia.

As a recipe for a better future, we join Asean members in our belief in the merits of closer dialogue, inclusiveness, and cooperation.

It is perhaps a coincidence that 132 years ago, also in November, the Ottoman frigate Ertugrul made a stopover in Singapore for replenishment and repairs. She was on her way to Japan to present a gift from Sultan Abdul Hamid II to the emperor of Japan.

Then, as it is now, Singapore was a safe harbour - an important port of call - for those who wanted to reach out to South-east Asia and East Asia and do business, as this little anecdote shows.

Turkey and Singapore may be geographically distant. Nevertheless, as our shared history shows, this has never been an impediment. As responsible and principled members of the international community, as regional gateways, and as old friends with renewed visions, the anticipated benefits of broader cooperation are bright.

• The writer is the Ambassador of Turkey to Singapore.