OREANDA-NEWS. Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkey reached about USD 1.25 billion in 2013, which rose by about 8% compared to 2012, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Uzbekistan Namik Guner Erpul said.

He said that trade-economic relations between two countries are developing, but still the ties does not meet the level of their potential.

The envoy said that the volume of trade turnover between two nationals reached about USD 1.25 billion in 2013, which rose by about 8% compared to 2012.

According to diplomat, the volume of exports of Uzbekistan to Turkey made up USD 800 million in 2013 and exports of Turkey to Uzbekistan - USD 450 million.

Namik Guner Erpul said that currently there are 450 companies with Turkish capital in Uzbekistan. They work in such sectors as textile, food, pharmaceuticals, hotel business, services, construction, production of construction materials and plastic products.

Turkish diplomat said it is assumed that investments (of Turkish companies) at the size of over USD 1 billion helps to economy of Uzbekistan to earn USD 300 million a year due to exports and provide jobs for 50,000 people.

He said that Turkish contractors carried out construction work for about USD 2 billion in 1991-2013. They constructed airports, hotels and some government objects, he added.

Namik Guner Erpul said that the figures do not reflect full potential despite such positive background. Trade-economic relations between two nations should be lifted to new level without losing time. He said that Uzbekistan and Turkey should hold a session of the joint economic commission as soon as possible. Besides, he said bilateral visits, business forums and exhibitions will be useful for be useful for establishing close cooperation between business circles of two nations.

Uzbekistan, which posses such historic and cultural riches as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, is only center in Central Asia with tourism sights, the envoy said.

Turkish envoy said that over 15,000 tourists from Turkey visited Uzbekistan in 2013 and Turkey is ready to adopt measures to increase number of Turkish tourists inflow to Uzbekistan.

He added that Turkish investment can ensure huge potential in such sectors as construction and hotel businesses in tourism sector. Investments from Turkish companies, which have huge experience worldwide, will be useful for Uzbek economy.

According to envoy, Uzbekistan and Turkey can develop cooperation in construction, mining, textile and tourism sectors.