Turkey Has Important Role In Trade Between Asia And Europe, Meredith

HONG KONG - Turkey has an important role to play in trade between Asia and Europe, said John Meredith, the head of the Hutchison Holding of Hong Kong that won the tender on the privatization of port of Izmir.
"I came to Turkey as a captain years ago, and I was impressed," he told A.A correspondent.
Meredith said that everything has changed today, but Istanbul is still a most interesting and unique location in the world.
Noting that they foresee that global trade will be Europe-Asia centered in the future, Meredith said that Turkey will have an important role in this trade.
On the other hand, capacity of Izmir port will be tripled after the privatization, indicated Servet Erocal, the chairman of Aegean Exporters' Union (EIB) Executive Board.

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At the final negotiation talks regarding the privatization of Izmir Port, Global-Hutchison-EIB consortium offered the highest price of 1,275 million USD.
The tender was technically completed, however the final decision lays with the Higher Board of Privatization which will also ask for the opinion of the Turkish Competition Authority.
Then a contract will be signed with the winning consortium and will be sent to the Council of State for consideration. Afterwards a contract will be signed between the Turkish Railways and the buyer, and Izmir Port will be operated by the buyer for a period of 49 years.