Turkey aims to be among world’s top 15 gold producersJanuary 23, 2013 - 17:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkish gold industry is planning to be among the top 15 countries in terms of gold production within the next three years, Today’s Zaman reports. “If things go well, we hope to earn a place on the top-15 list of gold-producing countries in the world by 2016,” Muhterem Köse, general coordinator of the Gold Miners' Association, based in Ankara, has said. Gold production in Turkey has significantly increased in recent years. In 2006, only eight tons of gold were produced; by 2009, that figure had grown to 14.9 tons and last year, production reached 29.5 tons. Turks are also major consumers of gold. Turkey is among the top three countries - after India and China - in which people buy the most gold jewelry items. “In fact, as far as per capita consumption of gold goes, Turkish people are at the top of the list,” Köse said, noting that 40-50 tons of gold a year are bought by people in Turkey for ornamentation and/or as a means of investment. There are presently four companies, two of them with foreign partners, in Turkey operating in gold mining, and these companies paid a total of TL 37.7 million (nearly $21.5 million) to the state in 2011 in corporate income tax. As per figures announced by Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan a couple of months ago, Turkey earned $10.7 billion from gold exports in 2012. This total figure breaks down, roughly, into $6.5 billion from Iran, $3.5 billion from the UAE and the rest from other countries. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |