Caglayan visits northern Iraq

Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and an accompanying delegation yesterday visited Arbil and Suleimaniyah cities of Iraq. As part of his contacts, Caglayan said that Turkey had embassies or consulates in almost all countries, not to mention the commercial attaches, and that Ministry of Economy has been working very closely with Foreign Ministry. Stating that the harsh remarks recently made by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki did not create any negative impact on commercial relations between the two countries, Caglayan said that Iraqi Ministry of Electricity on Tuesday approved a $235 million tender which was awarded to the Turkish company ENKA, and another $125 million contract won by the Turkish company Dorce was approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Health in the same day. Caglayan stated that the Iraqi central government has not created any obstacle to Turkish companies, adding, "Our foreign trade with Iraq reached $12.5 billion. Besides, our export to Iraq is now close to $8.5 billion. The investments made by Turkish companies in Iraq currently amounts to $16 billion." Caglayan also held a meeting with Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish regional administration in northern Iraq, which was also attended by Berham Salih, prime minister of the northern Iraqi autonomous administration, Fuad Hussein, chief of staff for Barzani, and Sinan Chalabi, regional administration's industry and trade minister. Following the meeting which was closed to press, Caglayan made a statement, stressing that he has held a very productive meeting with Barzani and also discussed economic relations between Turkey and Iraq. Stating that new border gates should be opened to boost trade relations between the two countries, Caglayan said that opening border gates of Gulyazi, Uzumlu and Derecik would make positive contributions towards this end.