Aslan: New Business Contracts Can't Be Signed As Uncertainty Prevails In Iraq

GAZIANTEP - Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GTO) Chairman Mehmet Aslan said on Saturday that exporter companies could not sign new business contracts as the uncertainty in Iraq continued.
Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Aslan said, ''first of all, a new government should be formed and security should be provided in Iraq for exportation to this country.''
Noting that uncertainty still prevailed in Iraq although the war had ended, creating a negative situation for countries that wanted to take share in Iraqi market, Aslan said, ''Iraq is a very big market for Turkey. We can make exportation to this country in many fields, particularly textiles and foodstuffs. Turkey has the majority of goods that are needed in Iraq. However, we cold not sign new contracts for exportation. We are still waiting.''
''Turkey can make only a small scale exportation to Iraq under the U.N. agreement. However, at the moment it is impossible to make exportation to other cities in Iraq, particularly Baghdad. Our exporters wait for rebuilding of Iraq and formation of a government,'' he said.
''Exportation can be made to Iraq in return for oil. This is our first expectation from the government. Our second expectation is transformation of the Habur Border Gate into a trade center. Iraq is a neighboring country of Turkey. In order to increase existing trade volume of the two countries, border trade should be improved. With this respect, transformation of Habur into trade center is very important. We expect officials to launch necessary initiatives as soon as possible,'' he added.
(MS-UK) 21.06.2003