Turkish contractors sign deal to build highway in Serbia

Turkish contractors have signed goodwill contracts valuing €750 million in Serbia, the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) announced yesterday. Three Turkish contractors who joined Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Serbia earlier this month reached goodwill agreements to build a highway in a mountainous area, the DEIK said. Mutual trade relationships will grow stronger after a probable free-trade agreement in September, DEIK's Turkey-Serbia Business Council President Tamer Kurker said. Under the agreement, Turkish businesspeople will be exempt from customs duties. "The agreement is an opportunity to change the situation," Turker said. "Serbia places great importance on the Sancak region, where many Turks live. Many opportunities lie there."