Turkish PM reveals economic package for eastern Turkey

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) – Turkey’s prime minister announced Sunday a stimulus package for the country’s east and southeastern provinces where the PKK terror group has resumed a decades-old armed campaign against the Turkish state.

Speaking at a meeting in Turkey’s southeastern province of Diyarbakir, Binali Yildirim said that Turkey would invest 10 billion Turkish liras ($3.3 billion) in eastern provinces of the country.

“We have important news for businessmen who want to invest in our 23 eastern provinces, tradesmen, farmers, young people, and women.”

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, resumed attacks in July 2015.

Since then, more than 600 security personnel have been martyred and more than 7,000 PKK terrorists killed.

The Turkish premier said that the Turkish government was planning to open 80 new factories in the region creating at least 40,000 new jobs.

Yildirim added that the government would speed up investments in transportation, energy, and infrastructure.

He gave detailed information on new stadiums, airports, hospitals, schools, farms and factories that will be built in the region.

Yildirim also mentioned Diyarbakir’s Sur district, which was heavily affected by the clashes between the Turkish army and the PKK terrorist organization.

He said the historic district would be reconstructed as it was before damages.