ANKARA - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Friday that Turkey and Syria could sign a free trade agreement.
Tuzmen held a press conference prior to his visit to Syria which would start later in the day.
State Minister Tuzmen said that a preferential trade system could be established with Turkey and this system could be turned into a free trade agreement afterwards.
Strategy to increase foreign trade with neighboring countries gained a new dimension, Tuzmen noted.
Tuzmen stated that their aim was to enter into new markets.
They aimed to increase share of neighboring countries in total exports of Turkey from 10 to 30 percent, Tuzmen pointed out.
Tuzmen said that they would organize commercial tours to Algeria, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt in coming period.
Turkey's export to Syria was around 250 million U.S. dollars while its import from that country was around 350-400 million U.S. dollars, Tuzmen said.
Tuzmen noted that trade volume with Syria had to be increased to 1 billion U.S. dollars at the first stage.
They wanted to form foreign trade center or border trade centers at Turkey's borders, Tuzmen stressed.
Tuzmen said that contracting, transportation, tourism and foreign trade would be taken up during his contacts and he would hold many meeting in Syria, including a meeting with the Syrian prime minister.
One of the aims of their visit was to bring businessmen of the two countries closer to each other, Tuzmen drew the attention.
Tuzmen said that they, as the statesmen, would try to lift obstacles before trade.
Within the scope of a free trade agreement, customs duties could be adjusted with the customs tariffs of the EU and thus, trade of two countries could be increased, Tuzmen noted.
Their priority was commercial relations during their contacts, Tuzmen stated.
Tuzmen said that they could also debate political issues.
He would convey best regards and wishes of Prime Minister Abdullah Gul to Syria, Tuzmen stressed.
Tuzmen added that increasing trade among regional countries was their main target.