KISHINEV (AA) - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Wednesday, ''the trade volume between Turkey and Moldova is currently about 95 million USD. It should increase over to 100 million USD and reach 160-170 million USD in the coming years.''
Tuzmen, who is currently in Moldova on an official visit, met Moldova's Economy & Commerce Minister Valeriu Lazar.
Speaking at the meeting, Tuzmen said that Turkey and Moldova signed several agreements on economic and commercial cooperation, mutual encouragement of investments and prevention of double taxation to provide entrepreneurs with a secure atmosphere.
''We attribute importance to our bilateral relations with Moldova. There is not any obstacle to prevent further development of our commercial and economic relations,'' he said.
Tuzmen noted that they had launched a series of initiatives in relevant countries to develop east-west transportation corridors under the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
''The final target of our initiatives is to secure free movement of goods and services in the region in medium and long terms. We aim to make the Black Sea region an area of free trade. In parallel with developments in relations with the EU, we aim to sign a free trade agreement with Moldova,'' he said.
Tuzmen called on Turkish and Moldavian businessmen to establish a Turkish-Moldavian Businessmen's Association.
(UK-MS)
2005-06-01