14 July 2012, Department of Foreign Affairs
Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Marilyn J. Alarilla called on Mr. Emin Sazak, President of the Turkish Contractors Association (TCA), on July 11 in Ankara.
During the meeting, Ambassador Alarilla briefed Mr. Sazak on developments related to Philippines-Turkey economic relations, particularly the proposed convening of the First Philippines-Turkey Joint Economic Commission in the fourth quarter of this year in Ankara with a parallel program for the accompanying Philippine business delegation with Turkish counterparts.
The Ambassador also informed Mr. Sazak on the Philippine Government’s implementation of infrastructure and development program and the private sector’s real estate projects in top metropolitan areas such as Manila and Cebu as well as in the “tier 2” cities – the major factors accounting for the bright prospects of the construction industry in the Philippines.
On the infrastructure program, Ambassador Alarilla advised Mr. Sazak on projects under the Philippine Public Private Partnership (PPP) Program including expressways, waterworks and sewerage, airports, power plants, hospitals, grains bulk handling, and cold chain systems.
The Philippine Ambassador also referred to the reform agenda to promote transparency, accountability and good governance which the Philippine Government under the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III is implementing.
Ambassador Alarilla likewise invited TCA members, through Mr. Sazak, to attend the Investors’ Briefing for the Manila Light Rail Transit 1 Extension which is being organized in London, Madrid and Tokyo by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)/ International Finance Corporation (IFC), and in coordination with the Philippine PPP Center.
Founded in 1952, the Turkish Contractors Association is composed of 151 leading construction companies, of which 31 ranked in 2011 among the “Top 225 International Contractors” according to the Engineering News Record Magazine.
Within the past 40 years, TCA members have engaged worldwide in investments in energy, tourism, health and transportation sectors in addition to their construction-related activities. END
