The Hindu : India-Turkey direct flights to resume

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 17, 2002

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India-Turkey direct flights to resume

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI FEB. 16. Decks are being cleared for direct flights between New Delhi and Istanbul in order to promote trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.

Dropping clear hints in this regard, the Turkish Ambassador, Hasan Gogus, said steps were being taken in the matter and early resumption of these direct flights between the two countries should come about soon.

Mr. Gogus, who along with the leader of the Turkish delegation was interacting with Indian businessmen, said that the two-way trade for the time being was not commensurate with the potential. In any case, Turkey was looking at Indian products and technology for setting up joint ventures for third country exports, he said, adding that Indian and Turkish construction companies could undertake joint projects in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Turkish business delegation, which is visiting South East Asian countries, during their brief stopover here impressed upon Indian businessmen gathered under the aegis of the ASSOCHAM that there was both scope and need for enhancing business. The Government-level contacts could help export of polyester, yarn, cotton textiles, jute, antibiotics, steel machinery and diesel motors from India to Turkey.

Responding to observations made by Anil Aggarwal, chairman, ASSOCHAM Expert Committee on International Trade, the leader of the Turkish delegation, E. Dermitas, invited Indian companies to the Ismir Free Trade Zone to use it as a base for exports to Europe and the U.S. India could also take advantage of the location of the Turkish Free Trade Zones adjacent to major ports in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Seas with easy reach from international airports and highways.

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