Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-27

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

27 AUGUST 2001

Monday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 27, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) said, ''the speech in the video cassette was delivered in 1992. It was under influence of a political understanding shaped in accordance with conditions of the Cold War era. Members of the AK Party and I do not plan to found a state based on religious rules.''

THERE IS NOT ANY EVIDENCE TO ACCUSE SUSPECTS

Security forces could not find any evidence to accuse suspects of the assasination of Uzeyir Garih, a prominent businessman and Executive Board President of Alarko Holding. Garih's golden watch and money were not taken. Security forces have concentrated that the murderer was a deranged person. A new scenario was put forward about assassination of Garih which says, ''a deranged person who is a member of a sect, might commit the homicide with an obsession 'why does a jewish person visit Muslim graveyard?'' Security forces defend that a murderer who killed his victim by stabbing him eight times, could not have a healthy psychology.

70TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FAIR OPENED

The 70th International Izmir Fair was inaugurated yesterday. A protocol crisis erupted during the inauguration ceremony. After it was understood that Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu was not given place in the protocol, representatives of real sector left the ceremony.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Ishak Alaton, the partner of Uzeyir Garih, a prominent businessman who was stabbed to death on Saturday, said, ''it is not clear yet who committed the homicide.'' Many people including Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen, Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir, Istanbul Police Chief Hasan Ozdemir and Security Director General Kemal Onal visited Alarko Holding's headquarters in Ortakoy district of Istanbul to offer their condolences. Addressing journalists, Alaton said, ''it is not clear yet who committed the homicide. Security forces have been searching all probabilities.''

U.S. TAKES ACTION

U.S. administration headed by President George W. Bush has taken action to prevent cancellation of energy projects and to provide Treasury guarantee for these projects. U.S. companies have taken part in most of energy projects in Turkey. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara invited World Bank Turkey Energy Mission Chief James Moose to Turkey. Moose held a private meeting with directors of nine investor consortia. Directors of Guney Ege Enerji, Howard Energy, Ormat International Energy, Asmakimsan, Covanta Energy Int., Cannon Power, AES, Demir Export and MAGE companies were in attendance at the meeting.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

Assassination of Uzeyir Garih, a leading businessman and Executive Board President of Alarko Holding, has professional dimensions. Security forces have been searching the possibility of 'political murder'. Latest findings revealed that the attack in Eyup Graveyard was staged to kill Garih, and that a special knife was used in the attack. Security forces think that the attack was not staged to seize Garih's belongings by force. Because Garih's golden watch and necklace were not taken. The murderer was aware of the fact that Garih had been visiting the graveyard regularly. He planned the homicide. He did not leave any evidence behind.

MODERATE EARTHQUAKE JOLTS DUZCE

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale jolted Yigilca township of northwestern province of Duzce at 03:41 a.m. on Sunday. There were not any immediate reports of casualties and damages, but the quake caused panic among residents in Duzce. The quake was also felt in Ankara, Zonguldak, Bartin and Karabuk.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Operation which was launched as part of an investigation into corruption in state building contracts at the Public Works and Housing Ministry, has beer enlarged. 20 more people were taken into custody. Security forces found notebook of Pirlanta Construction Firm Chairman Eris. People whose names were in the notebook, were interrogated.

CHINA TO SEND A DELEGATION FOR VARYAG

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit gave instructions to State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu for Maritime for passage of Ukranian flagged-ship Varyag through the Turkish Straits. The People's Republic of China will send a technical delegation to Turkey to hold meetings within framework of safe passage. The delegation from Chinese Transportation Ministry is expected to arrive in Turkey on Tuesday. The delegation will exchange views to decrease the risks that can threaten life, property, environment and navigation security during the passage of the ship. The delegation is expected to meet with officials at Transportation Ministry, Foreign Ministry and Maritime Affairs Undersecretariat. After wrapping up its contacts in Ankara, the delegation will proceed to Istanbul.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Directorate of Forensic Medicine announced its findings about last year's intervention in prisons. The autopsy conducted on bodies of three prisoners who lost their lives at Istanbul's Bayrampasa Prison, revealed that bodies were handed over to officials after bullets were taken out. Officials said that evidence on the bodies were destroyed.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Autopsy conducted on body of Uzeyir Garih, a leading businessman and Executive Board President of Alarko Holding who was stabbed to death on Saturday, revealed that three different knives were used in the homicide. Security forces have been searching the possibility of that three people might have been involved in the homicide.

GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU VISITS TURKISH CEMETERY

General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the Chief of General Staff who paid an official visit to Azerbaijani capital Baku, visited cemetery of Turkish martyrs. He laid a wreath to the cemetery.

BAHCELI: ''REGIONAL IMBALANCE CREATES A SERIOUS PROBLEM''

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), attended ceremonies held to mark the 930th anniversary of Malazgirt Victory. Speaking at the ceremony, Bahceli said, ''imbalance among the regions in Turkey creates a serious problem.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Assassination of Uzeyir Garih, a famous businessman and Executive Board President of Alarko Holding, revealed seriousness of problems of drug addict children. Number of these children has been increasing day by day.

SUSPECTS RELEASED

A total of eight suspects of assassination of Uzeyir Garih, a leading businessman and Executive Board President of Alarko Holding, including Fuat N., a suspect described as a mentally ill juvenile, were released. During his interrogation, Fuat N. rejected all allegations against him, and pleaded not guilty. Security forces searched his house, and could not find any element of crime.

CONTENTS

[01] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY LEAVES FOR SYRIA

[02] TURKISH-GREEK CONCERT IN SALONICA

[03] CENTRAL BANK LOWERS OVERNIGHT MONEY RATES TO 60 PERCENT

[04] 70TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FAIR OPENED

[05] STATE MINISTER DERVIS VISITS TURKISH EXPORTERS' ASSEMBLY

[06] TREASURY TO CONTINUE SELLING BONDS THROUGH PUBLIC OFFERING

[07] TURKEY-U.S JOINT INITIATIVE FOR F-16s

[08] NUMBER OF VISITORS COMING TO TURKEY INCREASES 28.6 PERCENT

[09] INTERNATIONAL AGRI MOUNTAIN VICTORY CLIMBING STARTS

[10] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL SPEAKS TO A.A: ''CAMPAIGN TO BOOST TURKISH LIRA IS VERY POSITIVE''

[11] CENTRAL BANK LOWERS OVERNIGHT MONEY RATES TO 60 PERCENT (2) - ''FINANCIAL AND MONETARY DISCIPLINE HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED''

[12] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU SAYS TURKEY WANTS PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF CHECHEN PROBLEM

[13] RED CRESCENT SENDS AID TO IRAN FOR FLOOD DISASTER

[14] DERVIS MEETS WITH EXPORTERS ASSEMBLY MEMBERS -DERVIS: ''WE CAN CREATE VERY POWERFUL TURKEY IN NEXT 6-12 MONTHS IN REGARD TO EXPORTATION IF BALANCES ARE SECURED''

[15] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER SAYS TURK TELEKOM TO BE PRIVATIZED WITHIN TWO YEARS

[16] FINANSBANK AUTHORIZES 6 BANKS FOR 60 MILLION DOLLARS SYNDICATED LOAN

[17] SUDANESE DELEGATION VISITS IZTO

[01] STATE MINISTER TOSKAY LEAVES FOR SYRIA

Toskay left for Syria on Sunday to attend the 48th International Damascus Fair, and to hold a series of contacts with Syrian officials.

Holding a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure, Toskay said that he would pay a visit to Syria as the official guest of Syrian government.

''Commercial relations with neighboring countries constitute most of foreign trade volume of countries. For instance, commercial relations among member countries to the European Union (EU) account for 60-70 percent of the EU's total foreign trade volume. In Turkey, this rate is extremely low. Turkey's trade with neighboring countries account for 5.5 percent of its total foreign trade volume. We have been expending great efforts to improve our commercial relations with neighboring countries for the last two years, '' he said.

Noting that his official visit to Syria would make a valuable contribution to further improvement of bilateral relations, Toskay told reporters, ''an important increase was recorded in the trade volume between Turkey and Syria in the last two years. Our trade volume with Syria reached 729 million U.s. dollars in 2000. The trade volume is about 308 million U.S. dollars in the first five months of 2001.''

Pointing out that important decisions were taken at the fifth term meeting of Turkey-Syria Joint Economic Commission which was held in Ankara between June 20 and 21, 2001, to further improve commercial and economic relations between the two countries, Toskay added, ''I will hold a series of contacts with Syrian officials to put into practice these decisions. A comprehensive commercial and economic cooperation to be set up between Turkey and Syria will make a segnificant contribution to revive Turkey's developing trade volume with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirated and other countries in the Gulf.''

[02] TURKISH-GREEK CONCERT IN SALONICA

Zulfu Livaneli and Maria Farandouri took stage in the concert sponsored by Anadolu Agency (A.A) and Macedonian Press Agency (MPA).

Livaneli and Farandouri conveyed messages of Balkan nations for peace and friendship during the concert.

Thousands of people watched the concert in Salonica's Aristo Square.

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Yorgos Pashalidis, A.A General Director and Executive Board President Mehmet Guler, Mayor Fuat Akdogan of Kusadasi township of western province of Aydin, former Tourism Minister Bahattin Yucel and some Greek deputies watched the concert.

Prior to the concert, official guests and musicians held a friendly march with flags of Balkan countries and torches in their hands.

Meanwhile, A.A and MPA awarded musicians who contributed to Turkish-Greek relations.

Earlier, A.A and MPA decided to present those who will contribute to bilateral relations, with friendship awards every year.

While Livaneli was given his award by Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos, the Chairman of MPA Executive Board, Maria Farandouri was presented her award by Guler.

[03] CENTRAL BANK LOWERS OVERNIGHT MONEY RATES TO 60 PERCENT

Releasing a statement, the Central Bank said on Monday that it lowered overnight money rates to 60 percent from 62 percent, weekly lending rates to 65 percent from 68 percent, and fortnightly rates to 66 percent from 69 percent.

[04] 70TH INTERNATIONAL IZMIR FAIR OPENED

During the ceremony, Izmir Mayor Ahmet Piristina handed over Izmir Fair Honorary Guest Flag to Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Deputy Minister Zhou Keren of the People's Republic of China.

Speaking at the ceremony, Zhou stressed that the People's Republic of China attributed great importance to further improvement of mutual economic and commercial relations.

Noting that Turkey had been acting as a bridge between the East and the West, Zhou said that the International Izmir Fair made a valuable contribution to further improvement of commercial relations between Turkey and the other countries.

Recalling that the People's Republic of China had been taking part in the fair for the 21st time, Zhou underlined importance of developing cooperation between the two countries.

Zhou stressed that trade volume between Turkey and the People's Republic of China increased 76.01 percent to 1 billion 205 million U.S. dollars in 2000.

Zhou noted that Chinese firms would display their products of textile, agriculture and medicine in the fair.

Meanwhile, Industry and Trade Minister Kenan Tanrikulu said that everything would be done to change International Izmir Fair into a fair of specialization.

Underlining importance of the International Izmir Fair in improving commercial, industrial and cultural relations, Tanrikulu said that the fair created an atmosphere for representatives of industry and trade sectors coming to Izmir from different countries to share technological developments with their Turkish colleagues.

A total of 908 firms including 498 foreign firms from 68 countries are taking part in this year's fair.

The international fair will remain open till September 3.

[05] STATE MINISTER DERVIS VISITS TURKISH EXPORTERS' ASSEMBLY

Dervis met with Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) Chairman and Oguz Satici and TIM Executive Board members.

Holding a press conference together with Satici prior to the meeting in which problems of real sector will be taken up, Dervis said, ''export has been the pioneer of Turkish economy since 1980s. When export was better, our economy was healthier and sound. Turkey is a country which is rich of some resources. But it does not have some expensive resources like oil to export to other countries. Therefore, Turkish economy should be based on production.''

Dervis said, ''in today's world, it is not sufficient to present this production only to the domestic markets. We have to serve world markets with our production. Export is not only a process of obtaining foreign currency. It is also a process of developing production and employment, getting information about world markets and increasing quality in world markets.''

''Therefore, export should be the pioneer of real economy. The heavy blow on Turkish economy in February of 2001 will be overcome with export,'' he added.

[06] TREASURY TO CONTINUE SELLING BONDS THROUGH PUBLIC OFFERING

The maturity of the 99-day bonds will be December 5, 2001.

These bonds' period interest rate is 18.00 percent, annual simple interest rate is 66.18 percent and annual composite interest rate is 83.78 percent.

The selling price of these bonds will be 84 thousand 746 Turkish lira (TL) on Tuesday, and 84 thousand 877 TL on Wednesday.

[07] TURKEY-U.S JOINT INITIATIVE FOR F-16s

An American military official told A.A that the basic goal of the U.S. is to enable Central European countries not to buy European planes, but to buy F-16 planes, adding that they make cooperation with Turkey which has broad F-16 capabilities and experience.

The official said that it would be enough for the U.S. to see Central European countries' accepting F-16 proposals of Turkey or the U.S., adding that ''it does not matter which one of us will win the tender. Our goal is to make F-16 planes become widespread in Europe. Thus, we are not rival, but partner with Turkey.''

The American military official said that they would propose a common action plan for Turkey, adding that ''if Central European countries decide to buy F-16 planes, we propose Turkey to act together regarding the issues of spare parts, logistics support, repair and pilot training.''

Turkish sources in Washington confirmed that they act in coordination with the U.S., adding that Turkey proposed Hungary, Austria and Poland to rent used F-16 planes.

Hungary is expected to give its decision soon.

Hungarian officials in Washington D.C. told A.A that the U.S. also proposed Hungary to rent secondhand F-16s.

Austria and Poland on the other hand are expected to give their decisions next year.

Turkey has three goals in selling F-16 planes to these countries. Firstly it wants to improve cooperation in defense industry with these countries, secondly to get financial support to buy new 16 F-16 planes and thirdly to bring a new task for Turkish Aerospace and Space Industry (TAI) where F-16s were produced.

[08] NUMBER OF VISITORS COMING TO TURKEY INCREASES 28.6 PERCENT

The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced on Monday that number of visitory coming to Turkey in the first six months of the year increased 23.2 percent.

Number of visitors coming to Turkey by railways increased 54.9 percent while number of visitors coming to Turkey by seaways rose 51.2 percent. Number of visitors who preferred highways decreased 1.9 percent.

[09] INTERNATIONAL AGRI MOUNTAIN VICTORY CLIMBING STARTS

Mountain Climbing Federation Chairman Alaattin Karaca said that the second Victory Climbing would end on August 30.

Karaca said that a total of 86 mountaineers including 26 foreigners were participating in the climbing.

He added that 50 Iranians and 15 Bulgarian mountaineers came to Dogubeyazit to participate in the climbing.

[10] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL SPEAKS TO A.A: ''CAMPAIGN TO BOOST TURKISH LIRA IS VERY POSITIVE''

Responding to questions of A.A, Oral said that the campaigns are particularly important to stress the value of TL.

''TL is the national currency of the Turkish Republic and national currency is the honour of one state. Its getting value also means the country economy's getting powerful. The power of the economy is assessed by the value of TL,'' Oral said.

Stressing that everything in Turkey has to be sold and purchased by using TL, Oral said that he considers very important the sensitivity of the people towards the campaign.

''The campaign's becoming widespread shows that the people is very uneasy about the wide usage of the U.S. dollar in Turkey. The sensitivity of the Turkish people towards the campaign will also contribute to economy's becoming more sound. The campaigns show the trust of the people in economy and the fact that everybody would do his/her best to make the economy strong again,'' said Oral.

''This campaign can mobilize everybody to give their accumulations to the use of economy,'' said Oral and noted that the campaign will revive the economy.

''The peopel's trust to the economy will probably be reflected to the economy,'' said Oral.

Oral stated that exporters carry out effective studies regarding the delayed VAT returns, adding that export is very important for the Turkish economy.

Noting that Turkey has gained an income of 30 billion dollars from exportation, Oral said that the government has taken all sorts of measures to increase this amount.

Oral said that Istanbul is an important centre regarding the sale of Treasury lands, adding that the lands to be sold will be declared on the internet. Oral said that the sales will be carried out in a transparent and objective way, adding that the immovable properties of the Treasury which will be sold will be announced to Turks living in Turkey and abroad.

[11] CENTRAL BANK LOWERS OVERNIGHT MONEY RATES TO 60 PERCENT (2) - ''FINANCIAL AND MONETARY DISCIPLINE HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED''

Releasing a statement, Central Bank said that reforms had made an important change in damaged economic structure, the banking sector had been purified from the weak banks and important steps had been taken for strengthening of the capital structures of the remaining banks.

''Turkey's economic figures are being recovered gradually. Financial and monetary discipline which is the sine qua non condition of a stability program have been restored completely,'' it said.

Noting that recovery of economic figures was not sufficient, it said that same economic figures might cause very different economic results according to positive or negative expectations.

It said that it was clear that results which were desired by the public could be reached in the shortest time frame if expectations reached positive level which so many successful economic policy implementations desired in regard to all international criteria.

Cantral Bank said that Turkey's Program for Transition into Powerful Economy had gone well in August after shaky June and July.

''In that period, question of how sustainable the domestic debt was remained on the agenda. Treasury statements in August and the successful auctions it carried out show question marks over domestic debt sustainability are reducing. In the same way, rates on the secondary market have been following a constant downtrend in recent weeks,'' it said.

Stressing that developments enabled reduction in Central Bank interventions to almost zero level in August, it said that this had provided one of the pre-conditions of a more sound functioning of foreign exchange markets.

The Central Bank welcomed the fact that private banks had been able to sign syndicated loans with foreign banks.

''These developments, taken alongside our continually increasing current account surplus, are developments that will help the foreign exchange markets,'' it said and stressed that the budgetary discipline demanded by the IMF deal was in place.

The Central Bank stressed that Turkey's struggle with its domestic debt had little in common with fellow IMF client Argentina's wrestling with its borrowing load.

''It is increasingly being understood that Argentina and Turkey are very different in terms of the economic programmes they are implementing,'' the bank said.

Former and new interest rates according to the statement are as follows:

. Former New

. (percent) (percent)

. -------- -------
Overnight 62 60

1-week 68 65

2-week 69 66

[12] NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER CAKMAKOGLU SAYS TURKEY WANTS PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF CHECHEN PROBLEM

Responding to questions of journalists about the recent situation in Chechnya, Cakmakoglu said that there are 85 separate ethnic elements in the Russian Federation and they are in the form of autonomous republics.

Noting that Chechnya is one of them, Cakmakoglu said that ''many persons who migrated from Chechnya are in Turkey now. Thus Turkey is very interested with the things that take place in Chechnya. This is very natural and human. We don't approve the heavy retaliation of Russia against Chechens and we want finding of a peaceful solution.''

[13] RED CRESCENT SENDS AID TO IRAN FOR FLOOD DISASTER

A Foreign Ministry statement recounted on Monday that 214 persons died and 10,000 persons became homeless due to the flood disaster in Iran. Ministry said that more than one million Iranian people suffered due to the disaster.

''Turkish Red Crescent sent 50,000 U.S. dollars of financial aid to Iranian Red Crescent Society to help Iran in compensating its damages,'' it was noted.

[14] DERVIS MEETS WITH EXPORTERS ASSEMBLY MEMBERS -DERVIS: ''WE CAN CREATE VERY POWERFUL TURKEY IN NEXT 6-12 MONTHS IN REGARD TO EXPORTATION IF BALANCES ARE SECURED''

Speaking to reporters prior to his meeting with Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici and executive board members, Dervis said that the Turkish industry had topped the world list between 1981-1987 in regard to rate of increase in foreign sales, and that such a growth could be achieved again.

''There are obstacles. We will discuss those obstacles today. I will request detailed information on those obstacles. The Eximbank Director General and I will listen to exporters. We should absolutely achieve this success,'' he said.

Stressing that the world market was not experiencing a very good period, Dervis said especially the Unites States economy which had been the engine of the world economy in last decade entered a very serious recession period.

Noting that the Japanese economy had already been suffering recession for years, Dervis said, ''Japan's experience should be observed. It became very successful for long years especially in exportation, and its currency gained in value excessively. It became a serious blow on Japan as it lost its competitive power when its money gained in value excessively.''

Dervis said that it could be possible to be optimistic about Europe but European market currently constituted a question mark.

''The recent information about Germany inspired hope. For us, Germany and Europe is an important market. The recession in the United States and Japan is important for us but I suppose European market is much more important. I want to discuss this with exporters,'' he said.

Stressing that the foiregn sales had increased as a result of their efforts this year despite recession and difficulties stemming from the finance sector and large scale imbalances, Dervis said that it was pleasing that there was almost 13 percent increase in exports in July.

''Today, exports in some East Asian countries is negative. It is -22 percent in Malaysia and -16 percent in Taiwan. It is negative also in Korea. So we are successful now despite the global market conditions but how can we achieve more success? How can we provide the harmony especially between price and amount? Actually, there is more success in amount but prices are decreasing so income is reducing. What can be done about this? We can discuss this issue. I hope that it would be a successful work. I hope we can hit 15 percent increase in exports this year,'' he said.

''Actually, Turkey became a country requiring Turkish compititive power after 1996-1997. It lifted customs with the European Union, facilitating imports. East Asia crisis erupted and East Asian countries devaluated their currencies. There was an increase in competition toward East Asia after 20- 30 percent monetary arrangements. We should not compare our lira only with Europe and U.S. dollar but also with Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Brazil and Mexico. We are competing against these countries in third markets. So we whould take these into consideration,'' he said.

[15] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER SAYS TURK TELEKOM TO BE PRIVATIZED WITHIN TWO YEARS

Vural who visited Izmir Governor and Izmir mayor Ahmet Pristina, responded to questions of journalists.

''Aycell, which is the first company of Turk Telekom joined the GSM competition. I hope Turk Telekom will be ready for competition as of 2003. I hope the people will benefit from this competition. There will be diversified services and the GSM service will become cheaper,'' said Vural.

Vural said that the privatization of Telekom is carried out in line with the economic programme and there is no delay.

Vural said that he is also interested in the problems of Izmir, adding that the Ministry of Transportation has projects to solve these problems.

''Izmir is an important city for tourism, I will ensure construction of yatch ports and fisherman shelters in Izmir,'' he said. Vural noted that Izmir needed a new port.

[16] FINANSBANK AUTHORIZES 6 BANKS FOR 60 MILLION DOLLARS SYNDICATED LOAN

Releasing a statement on Monday, Finansbank said that it had authorized Alpha Bank, Bank Gesellschaft Berlin, The Bank of New York, Bank of Tokyo- Mitsubishi, HVB Group (Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG / Vereins- und Westbank AG) and First Union National Bank for a syndicated loan worth of 60 million U.S. dollars.

The loan's interest rate was set as libor+115 base points.

It said that the bank's first syndicated loan in 2001 would remain in the market for participants for a month and the loan agreement would be signed at the end of September.

Finansbank had gotten 195 million U.S. dollars syndicated loan in 2000 and repaid in in 2001.

[17] SUDANESE DELEGATION VISITS IZTO

Speaking at the meeting, Diggeir said that Turkey-Sudan annual trade volume was 40 million U.S. dollars which was not at the desired level.

''The reason for my visit to Izmir is not only to see the Izmir International Fair but also to give the message that Turkey-Sudan economic relations should be developed. Sudan became a part of the free Arab trade union which was formed recently. It is a market including 300 million people. 21 Arab and African countries take their imported goods from Sudanese ports. I invite Turkish businessmen to use Sudan as a springboard to enter this 400 million people-market. This market's customs tariff is zero and it needs every kind of foodstuff, agriculture and manufacturing industry products,'' he said.

Noting that Sudan produced plenty of sugar and cotton, ''Sudan requires devices to process cotton and sugar. Turkey has the technology for these devices. Turkish businessmen can contribute to processing of these products by investing in Sudan. We should carry out joint work to develop Turkey- Sudan economic

relations.''

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article