Çağlar gave details regarding the restructuring of the World Trade Center, which was announced by Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş last year. Indicating that the size of the currently 110,000-square-meter expo center would be expanded, Çağlar said the project would kick off in July or August.
Stating that the last decisions would be made by Parliament in June, Çağlar continued: "The buildings of the current expo area are getting old. Since the area is small, we cannot bring the world's great fairs to this well-located building. That's why we made this decision: To organize bigger events. By arranging the construction works stage-by-stage, we will provide continuity to the previously planned fairs."
According to Çağlar, the fair area will be spread over 700,000 square meters. The place will include a double-story underground parking lot as well as an underground parking lot for the transfer of the goods. Together with all these investments, the fair area will reach up to 350,000 square meters and later up to 700,000 square meters with hotels and commercial offices. The project, which will cost $500 million, will be conducted in collaboration with the ICC, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB).
