IZMIR - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Wednesday that nearly one thousand Turkish businessmen continued working in Iraq despite all problems.
Replying to questions of reporters about impacts of developments in Iraq on Turkish foreign trade, Tuzmen said that Iraqi people were in a situation which they never deserved and they would continue meeting Iraqi people's needs as far as possible.
''If there had not been war, we could have made three billion U.S. dollars exports in 2003 and four billion U.S. dollars in 2004 to Iraq,'' he said.
''Our exports since January reached eight hundred million U.S. dollars. We target to increase it to 1.6-1.8 billion U.S. dollars until end of this year despite all problems. Although there are many problems, nearly one thousand Turkish businessmen continue working in Iraq, which proves the importance the Turkey attributes to Iraqi market and its determination in working despite risks,'' he said.
Regarding kidnapped Turkish citizens, Tuzmen said that it would absolutely cause several problems and they wished the chaotic atmosphere in Iraq would end as soon as possible.
(MS) 30.06.2004