Turkish contractors’ projects abroad total $31.3 bln

ANKARA

The total cost of the 374 projects undertaken by Turkish contractors in 45 countries in 2013 reached $31.3 billion, according to figures announced by the economy minister yesterday.

“The sector achieved a record number of projects undertaken abroad in a year,” Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekçi said in a written statement, underlining this was the first time the amount surpassed the $30 billion threshold.

Turkmenistan became the country with the highest cost of projects in 2013, said Zeybekçi, adding that the investments in this country contributed significantly to breaking the record, with 60 projects worth a total of $10.5 billion.

Russia, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Kazakhstan have emerged as the countries following Turkmenistan.

Meanwhile, Iraq came top in the number of construction projects, with the sector carrying out a total of 65 projects in the oil-rich country as Turkish construction firms are largely active in reconstructing northern Iraq.

Zeybekçi asserted the contractors also expanded their target markets.

“Last year, we added South Sudan and Senegal to the countries we are conducting projects for,” he said.