Countries Sending Soldiers To Iraq Don't Have Any Advantage In Business Opportunities

ISTANBUL - Turkish-Iraqi Business Council Deputy Chairman Kemal Buyukdora said on Monday that the countries sending soldiers to Iraq did not have any advantage in business opportunities in that country.
A delegation of Polish businessmen came to Turkey to evaluate cooperation opportunities in third countries particularly in reconstruction of Iraq.
The delegation attended a meeting organized in Istanbul by Turkish-Polish Business Council functioning under the auspices of Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).
Turkish-Iraqi Business Council Deputy Chairman Buyukdora explained cooperation opportunities in especially Iraq's reconstruction.
Buyukdora said that ongoing trade in Iraq was limited with minor tenders and those tenders were tenders made use of especially by Iraqi and Kuwaiti companies.
Therefore, those tenders were not tenders which could require cooperation between Turkey and Poland, Buyukdora emphasized.
Buyukdora stated that he personally thought that it was good that Turkey did not send soldiers to Iraq.
Asked about a question about business opportunities for countries like Spain, Britain, Poland and the United States who were in Iraq, Buyukdora said, ''nobody has an advantage at the moment. Nobody has been given a big project.''
Buyukdora said that Arab countries like Jordan and Kuwait were preferred in Iraq and added, ''that is, countries sending soldiers to Iraq don't have any advantage in business opportunities in this country.''
Turkish-Polish Business Council Chairman Mithat Yenigun said that economic cooperation could be improved by reciprocal contacts.
Yenigun noted that trade volume between Turkey and Poland was increasing but besides commercial relations, investments should also be increased.
Two countries had political and strategic advantage and experience in different markets, Yenigun pointed out.
Yenigun stated that Turkey offered investment and business opportunities in the Middle East, Caucasus, Asia and Central Asia due to its special position between Asia and Europe.
Polish Chamber of Commerce Foreign Trade Director Marek Zelazko informed participants about activities of the chamber.
Zelazko said that Poland made a big project for Iraq's reconstruction and Polish companies started to submit bids for the project.
The project would be an opportunity for Poland to open to other Middle Eastern countries, Zelazko added.
Following the meeting, representatives of companies of two countries held bilateral meetings.
(BRC-AY) 17.11.2003