A U.S. dollar banknote is seen through a magnifying lens on top of 100 Turkish lira banknotes in this picture illustration in Istanbul, Turkey, on Aug. 14, 2018. (Reuters photo)
ISTANBUL, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called on African countries to use local currencies for trade and businesses with Turkey.
"Let's save our trade from risks posed by foreign currencies," Erdogan said at a Turkey-Africa economic and business forum in Istanbul.
"We prioritize this issue as the country faced speculative attacks recently," he added.
The Turkish leader has repeatedly blamed what he calls "economic attack" by foreign forces for the economic woes facing Turkey, including the rapid fall in the value of the Turkish lira.
"We are ready to enhance our trade relations using local currencies, not only with our main trade partners but also with our African friends," he was quoted as saying by state-run Anadolu Agency.
In a speech last month, Erdogan said dependence on the U.S. dollar was becoming more of a burden each passing day instead of a convenience, citing "the attack on" Turkey as "a clear example."
