Turkish & Japanese companies go joint-venture in Iraq’s construction

Turkish firms, which have created 12.9 billion dollars worth of projects in Iraq, sat down with Japanese firms to discuss the billion dollars worth of collaborative potential in areas spanning from infrastructure, energy, education and health. Turkish and Japanese firms appear to be set to sign on to be a part of this transitional period in Iraq together.

“The Turkish-Japanese Cooperation Seminar in the Iraqi Energy and Construction Market” meeting held by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) brought together a total 159 firms, 48 of which were Japanese. A high volume of participants, including the total 156 representatives from Japan alone met to discuss the opportunities of participating in the rebuilding of Iraq. A series of meetings were held to discuss the potential 60 billion dollars worth of business opportunities in setting up hospitals, residences, schools, roads, metros, petrol, gas and electricity. The joint ventures of firms from both countries may create a total four to five billion dollars business volume.

Speaking at the forum, Minister of Economy Zafer Çağlayan expressed that the solution to the global crisis is “global collaboration”. Reminding that Japan is the world’s third largest economy he said “We are witnessing a historical program right now in which three rights have come together; the right time, the right sides and the right people.

“Çağlayan went on to state “Turkey and Japan’s foreign trade has reached two trillion dollars.  National revenues of both countries are approximately 6.5 to 7 trillion dollars. Iraq is extremely successful. We must express that we are in favor of Iraq’s unity and integrity. Iraq is a nation that can live in fraternity with a variety of groups of faith.”

Explaining that Iraq is the second biggest country in the region, Minister Çağlayan said “Over the next three years, Iraq’s petroleum exports will surpass 140 billion dollars. We do not look at Iraq in the way other countries do. We do not look at the Middle East or North Africa in the same way that western countries do. Unlike a number of other countries we do not look under ground, as Turkey, we look above it.”‘

OUR COLLABORATION WILL CREATE SYNERGY

Çalık Holding Executive Board Chairman Ahmet Çalık pointed out that Japanese and Turkish firms complement one another rather than compete, which in turn is an excellent synergy. Çalık said  “When the advantages of Japanese firms in technology, finance and reliability are joined with Turkish firms an excellent synergy is created. We have never had any problems with the Japanese. Our work cultures are extremely compatible. Turkish firms have the capability to do business in every sector in Iraq.”

Çalık went on to state “As a group we do not look at Iraq solely for business. Our relations with Iraq have flourished throughout history. We have lived together for hundreds of years and will continue to do so as long as this world exists. We have done a lot of work with Japanese firms in Central Asia. There have been extremely successful projects. However it is not enough to simply build the facilities. It is also necessary to train the labour force. If you are unable to train people, then the facilities are unable to operate.”

WE TRAINED PERSONNEL

Recalling how they built a factory with the Japanese in Turkmenistan Çalık stated “We trained all of the personnel. At first, 30 percent of the staff were Turkish, whereas now 100 percent are natives. I believe that it will be the same case in the business we do with Iraq.” Çalık went on to explain that there were two power stations in Iraq with a total 2,000 megawatt capacity and stated that they employed 3,000 staff half of which were locals.

07.07.2012
SOURCE: SABAH ENGLISH