Turkish - Iranian Business Council Meeting Held

ISTANBUL (A.A) - 17.05.2002 - Ali Osman Ulusoy, the Turkish-Iranian Business Council Chairman said on Friday that Turkey which imported goods worth of 840 million dollars from Iran last year, has only exported goods worth of 360 million dollars to this country.
Speaking in the Turkish-Iranian Business Council meeting, Ulusoy said that the trade volume between the two countries are not at the desired level.
''The 93 percent of the products imported from Iran is composed of oil and mineral fuel. Turkey exports mainly airplanes, iron, steel, and automotive,'' said Ulusoy and noted that when Iran starts to export natural gas to Turkey, the imbalance in the trade will further increase. This imbalance has to be overcome for the long term stability of the bilateral relations. The trade volume between the two countries has to increase and the products have to be diversified. There should be liberation in foreign trade of Iran as it wants to integrate with the world economy in a certain aspect and as it wants to be a member of the World Trade Organization. Turkish businessmen who had the same difficulties and experiences with their Iranian colleagues 20 years ago, understand their sensitivity and want to make cooperation in a way that will strengthen the national industry of Iran.''
Ulusoy said that the approval of the 1996 Agreement on Prevention of Double Taxation and Agreement on Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment by Iran is important.
Ulusoy noted that there are more than 400 Iranian companies in Istanbul, adding there should be at least 50 Turkish companies in Iran.
Referring to the problems in transit transportation, Ulusoy said that Turkish lorries can't go beyond Tabriz.
Ulusoy said that the Turkish highways are open to Iranian lorries, stressing that no highway tax should be taken from Turkish lorries in Iran.
Iranian Deputy Trade Minister Khosro Taj said in his part that the trade volume between the two countries has to increase and cooperation can be made in food, textile, agricultural raw materials and petrochemical goods.