Economy Minister Vassilev, his deputies Lyubka Kachakova and Dimitar Hadjinikolov met with Turkish media and with representatives of leading Turkish banks and firms. Vasilev is in Turkey to participate in the 70th anniversary of the International Fair in Izmir and to present the economic policy of the recently elected Bulgarian government. This is Vasilev`s first Balkan visit as a Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister in the coalition government formed by the Simeon II National Movement and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. Vasilev met with representatives of leading Turkish banks and firms such as ISBANK, ALARKO CROUP OF CO, ENKA Constructions and Industry Co and Erdemir. Vasilev talked about 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 foreign investment to Bulgaria. The Turkish business people were interested in the positive development of bilateral economic cooperation in the spheres of energy, tourism, the food and construction industries. Bilateral turnover between Bulgaria and Turkey might reach next year 1 billion US dollars, Vassilev said for national radio. A Bulgarian business center will be built within the next couple of years. A tender will be announced soon for the company, which wants to take the project. At a news conference with Turkish journalists, Vasilev said that Turkish investment can find its way into Bulgaria through the privatization, through the acquisition of equity or through greenfield investment. He also said that any Turkish company can become a candidate for the privatization of the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company. The Bulgarian delegation also met with ALARKO Holding vice president Uzeyir Garih. It was not yet known what they had discussed at their meeting when the news broke that Garih was found murdered in a graveyard in Istanbul. He was stabbed to death, Karahan reported, quoted by BTA. `His assassination stunned us,` Vasilev was quoted by AP to say. Vasilev and his aides observed a minute of silence in respect for Garih at the beginning of the news conference at Bulgaria`s Istanbul consulate.