Noyan Soyak: Armenia and Turkey can launch a joint wine production

As tensions between Turkey and Armenia have been slightly reduced as a result of football game between the two countries, businessmen are feeling encouraged to participate in joint projects, Referans Turkish newspaper reports.

“The Turkey-Armenia match has given us hope. Production projects have gathered pace. Some day, it may be possible to establish a joint facility,” said Noyan Soyak, co-chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council.

Businessmen, who have used indirect means to continue trading with Armenia despite an embargo imposed since 1993, started to display their partnership-based projects more bravely after the soccer game. Believing that a more comfortable environment for business affairs may now come about, businessmen have made a decision to launch a joint wine production.

Turkish, Armenian and Georgian businessmen had already launched a collective cheese production last year under the leadership of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council.

The historic World Cup playoff has begun a new period for the project, said Ilhan Koculu, a businessman from Turkey’s northeastern city of Kars. “We were very nervous during the first months following the launch of the project. The meeting of the two countries’ president has relieved us. We will continue our partnership, which started with cheese, with wine now.”

The trade volume between Turkey and Armenia is approximately $150 million. Almost all of this trade goes through Georgia. Turkey accounts for over 90 percent of the $150 million trade.

Turkish companies export textiles, construction materials, food products and durable consumer goods to Armenia. Should the border be opened, the trade between the two countries is expected to reach $400 million in six months.