Turkey saved $11 billion through infrastructure projects in 2016: Ministry

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Turkey saved $11 billion in 2016 through public-private partnership in infrastructural investments made between 2003 and 2016, Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan said on Dec. 29.

Arslan said during a news conference that investments worth $144 billion had been made during the period.

He said that investments in transport and communication also provided added value to other sectors.

“$286 billion of value addition was made to the gross domestic product [GDP] during the period. Also, 8.95 million people got jobs,” he said.

He added $76 billion were spent on highways, followed by $35 billion on communication and $22 billion on railways.

The aviation and maritime sectors received investments worth $9 billion and $2 billion respectively, he added.

The minister said Turkey’s aviation sector, spread over 119 countries and 296 destinations, was getting stronger.

“Our future goal is to strengthen the fleet of small-sized aircraft that enable us to carry out regional transportation and to build smaller airports in this context,” he said.

Speaking about the resumption of U.S. visa services in Turkey, he said: “We had said this suspension was not justified. I am glad this restriction has been removed.”

The visa row was sparked early October, when the U.S. Embassy in Ankara announced the suspension of non-immigrant visa services for Turkish nationals.