19 November 2016 12:02 am
Turkey, which has one of the largest construction industries in the world, is interested in taking part in the Western Province Megapolis project, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said.
“Turkish contractors are world-renowned. They can partner in various construction projects in Sri Lanka including the planned Megapolis. We are ready to partner,” Yıldırım said, according to a communiqué released by the Sri Lankan Industry and Commerce Ministry.
He was speaking to Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who was in Ankara, Turkey last weekend to attend the Second Session of Sri Lanka –Turkey Joint Committee Meeting of Technical and Economic Cooperation (JCMTEC).
“We welcome Turkey contractors to partner in Sri Lanka’s projects and invite representatives from Turkish contractor community to visit Sri Lanka and see. I shall take the message of Turkish contractors’ interest on Sri Lanka’s Megapolis back home to our Prime Minister,” Bathiudeen said.
Turkish construction companies are the world’s second largest overseas project contractors, behind China.
Meanwhile, Yıldırım pointed out the potential of Sri Lanka for logistics and tourism.
“We see Sri Lanka not only as a hub in South Asia but as an attractive tourist destination as well,” he added.
He further said that he was pleased with the progress made by the unity government in Sri Lanka, and that it was important to re-open trade talks after 26 years of cordial and historic relations.
According to the Commerce Department, bilateral trade between Turkey and Sri Lanka stood at US$ 230 million in 2015. Turkey is one of the leading markets for Ceylon Tea, and Sri Lankan tea exporters have been requesting the government to initiate a dialogue with Turkey to sign a free trade agreement between the two countries.
“During our Ankara session, both sides agreed to take our bilateral trade to US$ 500 million by 2020. I invite Turkish investors and businesses to partner with Sri Lanka and take advantage of the hub positioning that Sri Lanka offers to enter the growing South Asian market,” Bathiudeen said.
During the meeting, both Bathiudeen and Yıldırım also discussed other avenues of bilateral cooperation.