Privatization in energy might exceed $15 billion

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Privatization revenues in the Turkish energy industry might reach $20 billion this year, exceeding the estimated volume of $15 billion, said a consultant at a panel on March 19 in Istanbul.

Speaking about risks, opportunities and prospects for the local energy industry between 2012 and 2015, Cüneyd Zapsu, the head of Cüneyd Zapsu Consultancy, said Turkey, with a strong government and a predictable political structure, should take advantage of the current crisis.

“Although it is not certain, all foreign investors have invested in the prospect that political stability will continue for another period. Turkey has reached an [economic] size that works up the investment appetite of even large investors,” he said.

He said foreign banks had begun lending in the last few months and $50 billion of total revenues could be achieved easily, without mentioning a specific period.