Turkish contractors model for Europe firms

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish contractors are very good in regards to regarding quality, pricing, timing and working conditions, says Todini of the FIEC. Hürriyet photo

The European construction sector should continue partnerships with Turkish contractors in order to grow, European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) President Luisa Todini has said, according to daily Hürriyet.

“Turkish contractors are very good regarding quality, pricing, timing and working conditions. Turkish contractors will be a model for our federation,” she said at the Construction Summit held over the weekend. Antonio Tajani, European Commission vice president responsible for industry and entrepreneurship, Turkey Contractors Union President Emin Sazak and European Union Minister Egemen Bağış also attended the event. 

Created in 1905, the FIEC represents 33 national member federations in 29 countries and construction enterprises of all sizes, carrying out all forms of building and civil engineering activities, according to the official website of the federation.

“Turkey became a member country in the year 2000. Economy always comes before politics. We are aware of Turkey’s economic growth. Turkey grew 8.5 percent last year. It is said that it will grow 5 percent despite [the] crisis,” she said, adding that the goals of Turkey and the FEIC goals match.

The European Commission has set up a 10 billion euro fund, which will create 150 billion euros of business volume, Tajani said. The fund is available only for European Union members, but, “There are service [funds] for countries in accession talks. Turkey can benefit from them,” he said, adding that Turkish firms partnering with EU firms can also benefit from this fund.

Meanwhile Turkish construction companies signed contracts for 88 projects worth $6.33 billion abroad in the first five months of this year, Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan has said in a written statement, according to Anatolia news agency.

Çaglayan said Turkish companies claimed “the lion’s share” in Turkmenistan with an overall volume of over $2.6 billion, making the Central Asian country the second biggest market for Turkish construction companies after Russia.

He said Turkish companies have carried out 6,535 construction projects in 94 countries with an overall value of $213.2 billion.