PARIS (CIHAN) - France comes second after Germany in housing largest Turkish population. There has been 370 thousand Turkish citizens live in France according to the 2002 data, the Essen-based Turkey Research Center (TAM) said on Monday.
TAM chairman Faruk Sen said in a statement on Monday that nearly 9 thousand Turkish entrepreneurs operate in France and make more than 950 million euros worth of investments.
Nearly 32,4 percent of Turks living in France have been working and they makes nearly 6,45 billion euros worth of contribution to the gross national product in France, which is equal to 0,44 percent of entire gross domestic product of France.
Turks living in France employ nearly 45 thousand people according to 2002 statistics.
Sen said that Turkish Prime Minister should persuade France to give support to Turkey's EU membership bid.
Economic data on Turkish entrepreneurs in France (1996-2002)
Years 1996 1998 2000 2002 (billion Euro)
Entreprenurs 4.500 5.200 7.100 8.200
Total Investment 0,32 0,57 0,78 0,96
Total balance sheet 1,3 1,9 2,8 3,1
Total worker employed 16.000 22.00 34.000 45.000