UNKITAN HOLDS A PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK
NEW YORK - Philip Morris, a leading American cigarette company, was interested in privatization of Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Salt and Alcohol Enterprises (Tekel).
Administrators of Philip Morris had a meeting on that issue with Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, who is currently in New York, sources said.
Philip Morris, which is also producer of Marlboro cigarettes, said that it has been watching Tekel for 17 years and added that they were interested in privatization of Tekel.
Unakitan, Privatization Administration Board Chairman Metin Kilci and Finance Ministry Budget and Finance Control Deputy Director General Ahmet Kesik who accompany Unakitan in his visit informed U.S. investors about Turkish economy and establishments which were within the scope of privatization in the road show meetings organized by Citigroup in New York.
After his contacts in New York, Unakitan held a press conference and said, ''we want flights between Istanbul and Baghdad to be started and we launched some initiatives on that issue. We are waiting for a response.''
Unkakitan said that his contacts in New York were very beneficial and noted that he also came together with representatives of companies including Pfizer, Colgate and Bechtel which made investments in Turkey.
Unakitan said that American investors' interest in Turkey increased, stating that American investors asked when interest rates would decrease to him.
Noting that coming of foreign capital to Turkey would bring depth to Turkish economy, he said that stability which single political party government brought to Turkey and positive developments in economic figures attracted foreign capital to Turkey.
Unakitan said that foreign investors wanted to be protected and stated that they would pass inflation accounting law within this scope. He added that as soon as he returned to Turkey, he would sign this draft law and send to the parliament.
Unakitan and accompanying delegation will proceed from New York to Boston and continue to hold meetings with investors.
Finance Minister Unkakitan and accompanying delegation will come to New York on Saturday and leave for Turkey.
(EÖ-AÖ) 11.07.2003