US firms coming for 3rd Istanbul airport

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Planes are seen at the apron at Istanbul’s Atatürk International Airport. DHA Photo

U.S. firms are among those set to take part in the construction of Istanbul’s third airport, which is scheduled to put on tender soon, according to an official with a U.S. mission in Ankara.

“We are interested to bring American technology, equipment and finance to make the deal happen [for the new airport],” Michael A. Lally, commercial counselor of U.S. Embassy in Ankara, told a group of journalists on Nov. 27.

“The General Directorate of State Airports Authority [DHMİ] will give a detailed briefing on this project next week to attract American companies so that we can bring American companies and American financing,” he said, adding that the meeting is being sponsored by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB).

The firms reportedly interested in the bid are part of a 19-company U.S. delegation of aerospace and defense companies that will pay a visit to Turkey next week.

“Turkey’s trade region is very positive. For that reason, we’re inviting delegations from Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to come to Istanbul and meet with these American companies and their Turkish partners. That way, we can use Turkey as a trade platform for American-Turkish cooperation in the entire region,” Lally said.

“Turkey’s aerospace needs are growing. But aerospace needs are not only aerospace needs, they can be radar, they can be all elements going into the production of aircraft,” he added.

Aviation, defense giants

The U.S. undersecretary of commerce, Francisco Sanchez, will lead the delegation, which includes representatives from AdChem Manufacturing, Allied Wire & Cable, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Composite Engineering, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense, FLIR Systems, General Electric, Industrial Metals, Infinity Air, IOMAX, ITT Exelis, Moog Components Group, Northrop Grumman, Nova Power Solutions, OSIsoft, Sikorsky, SpaceX and Trimble. The delegation will have over 250 meetings with potential Turkish partners.

The U.S. official said each of the 19 firms had specific goals in Turkey. “Some are looking for joint venture partners. Some are looking to bid on government tenders. Some are looking to sell their equipment and technology to Turkish end users. Some are looking to find representatives for companies to work in Turkey and in the region.” Lally also said the U.S.’s Eximbank had a portfolio of over 4 billion dollars in Turkey and was seeking to grow the figure.