Nikolai Vassilev, Bulgarian economy minister, had a productive four-day trip to Turkey last week, despite the shocking murder of a prominent Turkish businessman.

Vassilev, and the rest of a Bulgarian delegation, met with ALARKO Holding vice-president Uzeyir Garih early last Saturday, however, it was not yet known what they had discussed at their meeting when news surfaced that Garih was found murdered in a graveyard in Istanbul. Garih, a very high profile figure in Turkey, had been stabbed to death.

Vassilev was shocked by the murder, especially in light of how he had conversed with Garih only hours before, reported AP. "His assassination stunned us," said Vassilev. The Bulgarian delegation observed a moment of silence in respect for Garih at the beginning of the news conference at Bulgaria's Istanbul consulate, reported the news agency.

As part of the trip, Vassilev met with representatives of leading Turkish banks and firms such as ISBANK, ALARKO Group, ENKA Constructions and Industry and Erdemir. He unveiled the government's plans for changes in the privatization process, the tax code, the capital market, the banking and insurance sector and the opportunities that the cabinet will create for the inflow of foreign investment to Bulgaria. He said on Saturday that Turkey is the best economic partner of Bulgaria.

Turkish investors are welcome in Bulgaria, said Vassilev, and investment can find its way into Bulgaria through privatization, the acquisition of equity or through greenfield investment. In addition, any Turkish company can take part in the privatization of the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company.

In relation to the Upper Arda project, Vassilev admitted he intended only to get acquainted with the issue and hear the position of local business circles.

"The changes that have taken place in Turkey for the past 10 years are huge," he said. Vassilev noted he was using the current visit to meet with the business and political elite of the country, some members of which he knows from his work in London.

In connection with complaints from some Turkish business people over difficulties obtaining a Bulgarian visa, Vassilev said that he and the Bulgarian consul general have discussed this issue. At the morning meeting, the Turkish business people were assured by the Bulgarian side that those of them who work actively with Bulgaria would not have trouble being issued entry visas.

The Turkish business people were very much interested in the economic policy of the new Bulgarian government and in the positive development of bilateral economic co-operation, more specifically in the spheres of energy, tourism, the food and construction industries and greenfield investment.

On Sunday, the Bulgarian delegation met with Turkish Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu. The Turkish minister noted he was especially pleased with the fact that both him and Vassilev were the youngest members of their governments. Tanrikulu expressed hope that the two of them would be behind great advancements in the development of bilateral relations.

Later that evening, Vassilev took part in the opening ceremony of the 70th International Fair in Izmir. The Foreign Investment Agency and the Plovdiv nonferrous manufacturing plant were the only Bulgarian participants in this year's edition. Vassilev expressed hope that, in the future, there would be bigger Bulgarian representation at this prestigious event.

Tanrikulu described the Izmir fair as a stomping ground for experts and that permanent Bulgarian representation there was desirable. He also hoped that Turkish export to Bulgaria would increase.

Talks between Vassilev and his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz were held on Monday. After the talks, Vassilev said he was very pleased with his meetings in Turkey. It is now Bulgaria's fourth largest trading partner, and he hopes two-way trade will reach $1 billion in the next few years.

Yilmaz said there was untapped potential between Turkey and Bulgaria. One of his country's expectations is that Turkish exports to Bulgaria will increase. He also expected Turkish companies to participate in the construction of infrastructure projects in Bulgaria envisaged by a bilateral agreement.