ISTANBUL
Turkish Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan on Wednesday said Japan had made direct investments of 122 billion dollars in the world in 2012 however it was not as generous towards Turkey.
Caglayan met with Japan's Ambassador in Ankara Kiyoshi Araki and CEOs of Japanese companies in Istanbul.
Caglayan stated that there was significant volume of trade between Japan and Turkey however it was to the detriment of Turkey and added he hoped the bilateral talks between the prime ministers of the two states in May would improve the situation.
"Japan made direct investments of 114.4 billion dollars in 2011 and 122 billion dollars in 2012 in the whole world. However, I have to say Japanese investors are not generous towards Turkey. You are not only being ungenerous but at the same time miss excellent opportunities. One day your shareholders might ask you why you weren't more aware of the opportunities in Turkey since there is the new incentive system and Turkey is positioned in such an important location," Caglayan said.
"The trade volume between Turkey and Japan has unfortunately reached 4 billion dollars. I say unfortunately as I find it insufficient. However, trade is to the detriment of Turkey as Turkey exports 1 unit to Japan but imports eleven units," Caglayan added.
Caglayan concluded his words by emphasizing the market advantage of Turkey and providing information in regards to its ten year investment plans in energy, transportation and telecommunications worth over 250 billion dollars.
