ANTAKYA - Hatay Governor Abdulkadir Sari said on Friday that Turkey and Syria were planning to construct a dam across Orantes (Asi) river to prevent floods.
Sari gave information about the common dam project expected to be undertaken with Syria during a meeting the same day.
Noting that the dam would be set up in an area of totally 32,000 hectares, Sari said that 22,000 hectares of this area would be within the borders of Turkey.
Sari said that the construction of the dam would end the floods which took place almost every year in Reyhanli town and electric energy would also be provided from the dam.
Sari said that studies on the project continued, adding that experts from both countries were preparing a report, which would finish at the end of April.
Sari said that efforts were launched to further improve the relations with Syria, adding that a border trade centre would be set up in an area near Cilvegozu border gate in Reyhanli.
``Syria is a big market, our businessmen should benefit from that market. Our trade with Syria is 800 million dollars today, 300 million dollars of it is exports and 500 million of it is imports mainly based on energy. Hatay Governor`s Office wants the trade volume of Syria to be 800 million dollars only with Hatay and we will continue to encourage businessmen in that regard,`` he added.
(Öª-AY) 05.03.2004