Tuzmen visits Georgia in bid to boost trade ties

On his seventh official visit to neighboring countries this year as part of Turkey's strategy to cushion the blow of the global economic crisis on exports, State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen said yesterday that Georgia will soon ease customs procedures for Turkish entrepreneurs. After meeting with Georgian President Michael Saakashvili as part of his visit with a large business delegation, Tuzmen said the Georgian leader had promised to solve the problems that Turkish businesspeople face at Georgian customs and in operating in the country. He said Georgia expects to soon initiate a comprehensive infrastructure project using $4.5 billion in loans from international institutions and funds, and that Turkish contractors expect to get a $1.5 billion share of this. Georgia plans to hold tenders for a series of projects, including the construction of highways, mass housing and public buildings. Tuzmen also met with Georgian Prime Minister Nikoloz Gilauri.