ANKARA - Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) Chairman Zafer Caglayan said on Tuesday that improvement of economic relations between Turkey and Iraq contributed to quick recovery of Iraq.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the U.S. Embassy Trade Service and ASO, Caglayan said that a political and economic reconstruction process had started in Iraq to heal its wounds and have it stand on its feet.
''A stable, democratic and peaceful atmosphere in Iraq benefits international community. Every country, particularly the United States has great responsibilities regarding this task,'' he said.
Stressing that a stable administration should be formed for peace in Iraq and a market economy focusing on private sector should be developed for quick reconstruction activities, Caglayan said that business life faced difficulties in an unstable country.
Noting that Turkey had been contributing seriously to Iraq's rebuilding process and extension of postwar humanitarian aid to Iraqi people, Caglayan said, ''Turkish companies do have necessary experience to successfully finish many projects in Iraq. Turkish companies can join U.S. government's 18.7 billion dollars of auctions in Iraq as main undertaker or sub-undertaker.''
Stressing that Turkish and American companies had set up very successful partnerships in Afghanistan, he added, ''there is not any reason to prevent these two partners' success also in Iraq.''
(MS-AÖ) 06.01.2004