Turkish contractors eye projects in Belarus

By Deniz Cicek Palabiyik and Mustafa Calkaya

ANKARA (AA) - The head of Turkish Contractors Association Tuesday expressed interest in projects to be carried out in Belarus.

Turkish contractor companies attach importance to increasing investments in Belarus, Mithat Yenigun, who is also the vice president of Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), told the Belarus Business Forum in Turkey’s capital Ankara.

"Our business council continues extensive work on boosting the cooperation in free trade areas which provide more sufficient opportunities for foreign investors in Belarus," he said during the forum which was followed by a two-day convention of Turkey-Belarus Joint Economic Commission.

Yenigun said Turkish contractor companies carried out 9,600 projects worth $380 billion in foreign countries, including Belarus, so far.

Turkish contractors work with local engineers and subcontractors in foreign countries, he said.

Ali Riza Arslan, co-chairman of DEIK's Turkey-Belarus Business Council, said historical steps were taken over the last three years for increasing bilateral trade between Turkey and Belarus.

Two countries have high-level political relations, Arslan said, adding that they should also reflect on the economical relations.

"Bilateral trade was $605.4 million in 2017, and $630 million in 2018. I wish that it would increase," Arslan added.

* Writing by Gokhan Ergocun from Istanbul