State tourism facilities to be rented another 49 years

ANKARA

The contracts of tourism properties and agricultural land rented by the state as tourism facilities will be extended for another 49 years, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said.

“We will increase the rent duration of these facilities for another 49 years to end the uncertainty,” Yıldırım said, while addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies on Oct. 17.

“Those who demand to buy them can also do so,” he said.

Owners of such facilities avoid investments since they do not own the land, which is a burden for the economy, the prime minister said.

Separately, the ceiling for credits offered to SMEs will be increased by 50,000 Turkish Liras to 200,000 liras, Yıldırım said.

Another 500,000 liras with a 10-year maturity rate will be offered to those who want to buy their own workplaces.

The state provides 22 billion liras in credit to tradesmen annually, Yıldırım said, pointing to a sharp increase from 153 million liras in 2002, when the AKP came to power.

“The tradesmen are producers and create jobs,” he said.

The prime minister also repeated his party’s stance against high interest rates.

“You cannot explain how interest rates are high in a country where the growth rate is around 5 percent and global and local investments are increasing. This is one of the priorities of our government,” said Yıldırım.

An omnibus law, which is now debated in a parliament commission, will introduce changes including limiting the gains property taxes pay to municipalities, he added.