Moldova and Turkey plan to increase their trade to $500 million by 2010. First Vice Premier Igor Dodon Thursday told the Moldo-Turkish Business Forum he discussed the matter with Kursad Tuzmen, the secretary of state of Turkey, the ch-chairman of the inter-governmental Moldo-Turkish commission, Info-Prim Neo reports. In 2007, Moldova's external trade with Turkey was $200 million, on a 40% rise compared with 2006. This index is however thought by Dodon as much below the existent opportunities. The Turkish investments in Moldova are also low – 1% of the total foreign investment attracted, said the deputy premier. In 2007, the volume of Turkish investments in Moldova stood at $30 million. Now there are some 700 joint Moldo-Turkish companies. Igor Dodon says Moldova has become one of the most attractive countries for foreign investors, taking into account the preferential exporting regime. He sees the business diversification as the main problem in the Moldo-Turkish economic relations. “It is necessary to focus on production, on opening joint companies specialized in processing produce, in building cars and agricultural machinery, in attracting investments to build roads and houses,” Dodon said. The Turkish State Secretary, Kursad Tuzman, has underlined his country has large experience in doing business, including with foreign partners. The Turkish external trade in 2008 is expected to reach $350 billion, while the volume of exported products is larger than the one of the EU. “Our businessmen are interested to open joint productions in Moldova and to produce goods and services to be exported to the EU and the CIS,” said Tuzmen. The forum has been organized by the Moldovan Trade and Industry Chamber, in partnership with the Turkish Exporters Association, the Turkish Businessmen in Moldova Association, other NGOs from both countries. It is joined by representatives of 36 Turkish companies and of 300 Moldovan companies.