CAPE TOWN - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen has stated that ''Turkey views foreign investment as a means for global economic integration and that his government encourages more foreign investment.''
Participating at the Fourth Annual Conference of the World Free Trade Regions, Tuzmen said that ''free trade zones have begun to change the classical notion of doing trade and are opening new avenues for international business.''
Tuzmen said, ''Turkey is a prominent country with its geographic status and potential. Within the past 20 years, great changes have taken place in Turkey. Liberal economic activities have replaced a 'closed' economy.''
''The idea of a free trade zone in Turkey was born in 1985. The first free trade region was established in Mersin in 1987. There are now 21 free trade zones in Turkey which have created a trade volume of 16.6 billion U.S. dollars,'' added Tuzmen.
Tuzmen remarked that ''Turkey has entered a stage of rapid development in which serious success has been accomplished in the area of inflation.''
''We pay utmost attention to foreign investment in Turkish free trade zones and other regions. We are lifting all obstacles to foreign investment in Turkey. I invite more businessmen to invest in Turkey,'' said Tuzmen. ''Investments in Turkey will facilitate entrance into the surrounding countries and their markets.''
The Fifth Annual Conference of World Free Trade Regions will take place between 21-22 April, 2005 in Izmir, according to Tuzmen.
(ES-AÖ) 29.10.2004