Greek Businessmen To Invest In Turkey

IZMIR, Jan 27 (A.A) - Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) Chairman Ekrem Demirtas said on Sunday, ''a number of Greek companies are getting prepared to invest in Turkey. This is the fruit of friendly relations that have been improving between the two neighboring countries in recent years.''
Responding questions of the A.A correspondent, Demirtas said, ''we learnt that nearly sixty Greek companies were planning to invest in Turkey this year. Greek National Bank has allocated a fund of five hundred million U.S. dollars to these investments. Turkish-Greek Friendship Association Chairman and Greek National Bank Director Panagiotis Koutsikos has been playing an important role by encouraging Greek businessmen to invest in Turkey.''
''Avarage of trade volume between Turkey and Greece had been about five hundred million U.S. dollars in previous years. This amount rose to one billion U.S. dollars. We expect trade volume between the two countries to increase more in coming years. Partnerships and cooperations will be beneficial for both countries,'' he said.
Noting that there were many joint investment projects in the fields of energy, tourism, transportation and foodstuff, Demirtas said, ''there are many affinities between Turkish and Greek peoples. Therefore, we understand each other in a short period of time. Mutual visits of Turkish and Greek non-governmental organizations and businessmen in recent years have made important contributions to this end.''
''We requested the Turkish Airlines (THY) to organize direct flights from Izmir to Salonica and Athens. The THY responded our request in the affirmative. Meanwhile, our efforts have been continuing for rapid ferry journeys from Cesme township of Izmir to Pireaus and Salonica. Transportation is of great importance in regard to further improvement of economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Greece,'' he added.