Yachting: Turkish investors eye ports in Greece

(ANSAmed) - ANKARA, AUGUST 20 - Turkish investors are interested in marina and port privatizations in neighboring Greece, according to a Greek official, as a Turkish business group has called on local companies to invest in the neighboring country. "The process has not begun yet," said Greek Privatization Boards' coordinator Panos Protohsaltis during an interview with Anatolia news agency, referring to a recent parliamentary decision that sees large privatizations as part of further austerity measures. "We will decide on the process within a few weeks. The government has made a decision that gives a green light (to sell-offs). This is an important step.

"Turkish companies are interested in Greek ports, he said without elaborating. "It is the right time for Turkish companies to invest in Greece," said Selim Egeli, head of the Turkish-Greek Business Council within the body of Turkey's Ministry of Development and the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK). International companies other than Turkish firms will also show an interest in Greek port and marina privatizations, Egeli told Anatolia. In May, Hellenic Duty Free, a joint venture between Turkey's Setur Marinas and Greece-based Follie Group, won 40-year operation rights on Lesbos Island, which is a 1.5-hour boat trip away from Turkey's tourism destination of Ayvalik on the Aegean coast. Another Turkish company has already said it is in the game. Global Yatirim Holding is closely interest in port privatizations in Greece.

The company will enter tenders for all Greek ports excluding the ones in Athens and Thessalonica, according to board member Adnan Nas. The firm may fund buyouts using its own resources, Nas said. The number of marinas and ports to be privatized in Greece is 23, Nas said. The company may consider a Greek partner in entering the tenders, he added. (ANSAmed).