Turkish companies willing to participate in infrastructure works in Colombia, says Economy Minister Caglayan

ANKARA (A.A) - January 10, 2012 - Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said Tuesday that Turkish companies were willing to participate in infrastructure works in Columbia in 2012 and 2013 with a budget of 10 billion USD. Caglayan met with Colombia's Vice President Angelino Garzon in Ankara on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters while meeting Garzon, Caglayan said that there was a high potential between Turkey and Colombia in political, economic and commercial fields. As Turkey, we pay high attention to South American countries. There are seven Turkish trade counsellors serving in five Latin American countries. We will increase this figure to 11 soon, Caglayan said. The trade volume between Turkey and Colombia rises every year. By the end of 2012, our trade volume with Colombia would reach 800 million USD, Caglayan said. Angelino Garzon, in his part, said that he would be pleased to see Turkish companies doing business in Colombia. We have allocated a budget of 15 billion USD, including funds from local administrations, for infrastructure projects in Colombia. I realize that Turkish companies are well experienced in infrastructure works. I will convey Turkey's desire to be involved in Colombian infrastructure works to my president. I will do my best for our relations, Garzon stressed. We expect to reach a result in Colombia's meetings with Turkey between February 15 and 17 for a Free Trade Agreement, Garzon added.