GAZIANTEP - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Thursday that their target was to increase exports and include Turkey among developed countries.
Tuzmen delivered a speech in an informative meeting on regional economic and commercial relations after the Iraq war which was held by the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce.
State Minister Tuzmen said that exports from Turkey reached almost 44 billion U.S. dollars in 2003.
Stating that Turkey was making imports of 64-65 billion U.s. dollars, Tuzmen noted that Turkey traded with 200 countries.
Tuzmen said that Turkey had a trade volume of 100 billion U.S. dollars.
Drawing attention that they attached great importance to increasing trade with neighbor and surrounding countries, Tuzmen said that trade volume between Turkey and neighbor countries increased from 3 to 12 percent.
Tuzmen pointed out that their target was to increase that trade volume to 30 percent.
Emphasizing that increasing trade with Iraq, Syria and Iran had vital importance, Tuzmen said that there was need for 300 billion U.S. dollars of investments for Iran's reconstruction in 20 years of time and it meant a very big market.
Stating that Iraq planned to double its oil production in coming days, Tuzmen said that Turkey should have a big share in that market.
Tuzmen noted that Turkish businessmen had won 260 billion U.S. dollars of tenders in Iraq in 2003 and 1,000 Turkish businessmen were currently working in Iraq.
They planned to send more Turkish businessmen to Iraq in near future, Tuzmen stated.
Tuzmen said that improving trade with Syria was also very important, adding that they would open border trade centers in Van, Hakkari and Agri within October to increase trade with Iran.
(BRC) 16.10.2003