DUSHANBE, March 1, Asia-Plus - Turkey may possibly start the construction of a plant on producing “Coca Cola” in Tajikistan already this year.   

Director general of Turkish plant on production of “Coca Cola”, Ezel Agaoglu, remarked this at the Tajik-Turkish business forum that was held in the building of Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in Dushanbe on February 28.  

According to information from the Ministry of Economy and Trade, the meeting participants included senior representatives from Tajikistan’s ministries and organizations, heads of a number of Tajik banks, including “AgroInvestBonk”, “Tojiksodirotbonk”, “Kafolatbonk”, “Tajprombank” and “Eskhata”, as well as representatives from cellular operators and local telecommunications companies and Turkish businessmen.   

Before constructing the plant Turkish businessmen intend to study Tajik market, according to the source.  Mr. Muammer Akkai, chairman of the Society of Turkish Entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan also head of the visiting Turkish delegation telling the meeting noted that the estimated budget for the construction of the Coca Cola producing plant in the republic was not less than US$25 million.  

During the forum Turkey’s “Demirbank” director general, Mr. Ahmed Parmaksyz expressed intention to open representative office of this bank in Tajikistan, but only after thoroughly studying the Tajik market.  

Compared to January 2005 trade turnover between Tajikistan and Turkey in January 2006 reduced by 27 percent and amounted little more than US$16 million.