The Turkish government is taking in enormous profits from higher-than-expected returns from state-owned land sales.
The Turkish government is taking in enormous profits from higher-than-expected returns from state-owned land sales. The General Directorate of National Real Estate -- the state body responsible for the sale and lease of public property -- earned more than YTL 1 billion in 2006 for the first time in its history.
The directorate earned YTL 385 million the previous year. The revenue consists of money from rental agreements, the right of easements allowed private entities over public property and compensation against damages from unlawful occupation.
According to a 2006 activity report, Antalya earned the highest amount at YTL 94.77 million, a 63 percent increase over 2005. İstanbul earned the second-highest amount at YTL 92.77 million. İzmir was third with YTL 61.73 million. Kütahya had the largest increase in revenue over the previous year, at 577 percent. It made YTL 1.49 million in 2005, and YTL 10 million in 2006. Kastamonu followed Kütahya by a 241 percent increase. Denizli and Muğla followed with increases of 167 and 160 percent, respectively.
The highest drop in revenues was in Edirne -- from YTL 13.88 million to YTL 11.57 million -- corresponding to a 16.68 percent decline. Şırnak, Kilis, Tunceli and Çankırı also saw a drop in revenue.
The directorate also provided information on Turkey’s subsidized housing. According to the figures, free housing owned by public institutions in Turkey numbers 196,640 units. The Education Ministry has 44,916 free lodgings, mostly for teachers who work away from homes. Then came the Defense Ministry (42,030), the Security General Directorate (37,321) and the Ministry of Health (20,157).
