Opinions & Interviews

ISTANBUL, 12 December (BelTA) – Turkey is interested in Belarusian investments, Economy Minister of Turkey Zafer Caglayan said at the ceremony of honoring Chairman of the Board of EMSAS Construction (Turkey) Ali Riza Arslan with the Order of Honor of the Republic of Belarus. The award ceremony took place in Istanbul on 12 December, BelTA has learnt.

“Turkish investments in various countries total $26 billion. Belarus accounts for $1.1 billion of the sum. The Turkish government invites Belarusian companies to invest in Turkey since it is a big and promising country,” said Zafer Caglayan.

A decade ago the trade between Turkey and Belarus totaled $40 million. In 2012 this figure reached $454 million, up 11 times. In January-October 2013 the mutual trade increased by more than 10%. “However, it is still far from the potential we have. We can reach billions in trade,” the minister said.

Zafer Caglayan stressed that Turkey was among the first to recognize Belarus’ independence. The countries enjoy a longstanding friendship. He added that the signing of the visa-free regime agreement was an important step in developing mutual relations. “A visa-free regime is essential for Turkish businessmen. Visas are a technical barrier. Their cancelation will bring additional advantages for ordinary citizens as well,” the minister believes. In his words, some ten years ago Turkey was visited by 11,000 Belarusian tourists. The number of visitors from Belarus in Turkey reached 130,000 last year. Over the ten months of 2013 more than 200,000 Belarusian tourists paid a visit to Turkey.

Speaking about the honoring of Chairman of the Board of EMSAS Construction Ali Riza Arslan, the minister underlined the importance of the fact that Belarus praises the representative of the Turkish business circles in such a way. “EMSAS is present in many countries. Ali Riza Arslan represents Turkey abroad. In particular, he represents the contracting sector which Turkey is proud of,” he stressed. According to the minister, as of 12 December 2013 Turkish contracting agencies implemented more than 7,000 projects in 102 countries to the total tune of $264 billion.

On 1 November 2013 Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko awarded Order of Honor to Chairman of the Board of EMSAS Construction Ali Riza Arslan in recognition of his significant personal contribution to the implementation of the Belarusian-Turkish investment projects, the strengthening of cooperation between Belarus and Turkey.