Bursa – A group of 160 businessmen from the Turkish city of Bursa is interested in the projects in Serbia, among which are the planting of cherries in Bujanovac and a textile factory in Novi Sad.  

Emir Baskardes, the General Secretary of the “Rumelisaid” association, who is an advisor to the Mayor of Bursa, believes that stronger economic ties should be established with Serbia and that the opening of our country’s consulate in Bursa would, in his opinion, contribute to that aim.   

“We ddon’t have any interest in the Balkans, but we wish to get closer to you and live like brothers. Bursa is a Balkan town , while many people from the Balkans who had come here as  refugees, developed businesses an  live well now,” says the Mayor of Bursa Redzep Altepe. 

The President of the “Rumelisaid” association, Erol Kilikcier, whose father was born in Serbia, said that they were working on expanding the cooperation, trade, and ,thus,  the friendship between the two countries , and that their businessmen were willing to participate in the reconstruction of factories in Serbia that were currently not working and in re-launching the production.  

One of those projects might be investment in the planting of cherries on 300 acres of land in Bujanovac, which is currently unused, or a project worth 150. 000 euros related to mushroom-growing. The Turkish government is willing to assist with the implementation of the later project.  

They also plan to renovate a mineral water plant, the name of which they didn’t want to reveal.

Source: “Tanjug” News Agency and Coordination Body