"Following the creation of a “fully operational” subsidiary in Turkey in April, Grontmij has unveiled a website for its Turkish business.

Grontmij has been active in Turkey since 2000, primarily working for donor-funded projects, some of which have focused on environmental issues. Grontmij subsidiaries also have a history of working in Turkey, with both Danish subsidiary Carl Bro and Germany-based AEW Plan having done work in Turkey prior to being acquired by Grontmij.

Projects funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs have often had an environmental aspect, says Sadiklar, and have included work to revise Turkish environmental policy and regulation as part of efforts to bring Turkish standards in line with EU legislation. Other environment-related work has included plans for improving waste water treatment infrastructure and the drawing-up of applications for EU funds for environmental projects.

This spring's creation of a Turkish arm of Grontmij signals the consultancy's plans to develop a long-term business there, says Sadiklar. There remains a lot of environmental policy and regulatory work to do to prepare Turkey for entry into the EU. In addition, there may be masterplanning and/or project management work for new waste water and solid waste treatment facilities.

While donor-funded projects will continue to be sought, Grontmij also hopes to win work from Turkish private sector clients. Sadiklar acknowledges that it will take time to convince private sector businesses that environmental and corporate responsibility issues are worth addressing, however he is hopeful that growing willingness on the part of the environment minstry to regulate industrial pollution will help attract private sector clients, as may growing public awareness of environmental issues.

Public concern about the environment varies a great deal in Turkey, says Sadiklar, with much greater awareness in the western part of the country, particularly in Istanbul, than in the south eastern region. Last year, water shortages resulted in a temporary spike in public concern about the environment, especially in the large cities of Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul."


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Notes for the editor:

Environment Analyst
Environment Analyst is a publishing and business research organisation with a remit to track performance and opportunities within the environmental sector, with a particular focus on the environmental consulting and support services market.