ISTANBUL
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz on Wednesday said they wanted to establish an energy sector without any subsidies.
Yildiz attended the opening of ICCI 19th International Energy and Environment Fair and Conference in Istanbul.
Minister said "Ten years ago one thirds of this room was filled with representatives from the private sector. We expect this number to reach 75 percent soon. We aim a private sector under the supervision of the government. We want to establish a sector without any subsidies."
Yildiz emphasized that Turkey has come a long way in energy savings and it aimed to save one fifth of the energy it used by 2023.
Yildiz also stated that the perception in regards to the energy sector needed correct steering and said, "Why doesn't a nuclear reactor in France harm tourists but our reactor in Mersin does? Turkey will no longer be fooled by political games. If anyone is to mention use of coal, they have to explain the coal plant put into use in China every week."
Turkey plans more investments in mining sector
Taner Yildiz has said the government was planning to make more investments in the country's mining industry to increase the share of sector's contribution to economy from 1.5 percent of the GDP to 2 percent, the world average
Addressing in Istanbul the Second Mining Summit for Eurasia-Middle East and North Africa, Yildiz said the planned growth in the mining sector required an extra investment of $4.5 billion, calling on foreign companies to do business in Turkey.
Yildiz said exports from the mining industry had passed $4 billion in the past decade from $700 million in 2002.
