RIYADH - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Monday that they worked on many formulas to improve commercial and economic relations with Saudi Arabia.
Tuzmen, who came to Riyadh from Jeddah met with Saudi Arabian Investment Department Chairman Prince Abdullah bin Faysal bin Turki and Central Bank Governor Mohammad Al Casir.
Giving information to Turkish press members about his contacts, Tuzmen said that they proposed Saudi Arabian officials to sell products and service to Saudi Arabia in return of oil. Noting that he took up this issue with Saudi Arabian Petroleum Minister Ali Ibrahim Naimi yesterday, Tuzmen said that Saudi Arabian side was positive to their proposal although traditionally petroleum was sold in return of money in cash in world markets. Tuzmen said Saudi Arabian Minister Naimi told him that they could work on the model of products and service in return of petroleum.
Tuzmen said that the objective and psychological conditions of opening a new period in economic and commercial relations with Saudi Arabia were ready, adding that Saudi Arabian capital could be drawn to Turkey within the scope of privatization and in tourism field. Tuzmen also stressed that the improvement of commercial relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which were the two big economic powers of the region, would be good for the regional and world peace.
(ÖS) 10.03.2003