Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

Vice General Manager for Asset Management for the Turkish Petkim petrochemical holding Ali Ekrem Aslan has resigned, Anadolu Agency reported on August 8.

Arslan started to work at Petkim petrochemical holding in 1993 and was appointed to the position of Vice General Manager on October 1, 2011. New appointment has not yet been made and the position remains vacant. The agency also reported that the resignation of Arslan is not related to the operation, which was carried out in Petkim against supporters of the Gulen movement.

Earlier, Vagif Aliyev, head of the board of directors of Petkim said that 27 people have been dismissed from various departments at Petkim petrochemical holding (SOCAR’s Turkish asset) since July 27. Moreover, former director general of Petkim petrochemical holding Sadeddin Korkut resigned and was later arrested on charges of being involved in Fethullah Gulen’s movement.

Among those who previously resigned are Omer Adsiz, director of public relations department at SOCAR Turkey, Ilgar Mehmetoglu, director of the company’s human resources department, Cetin Korkut, director of the company’s IT department, Fuat Ulagay, director of human resources department at Star refinery, Natig Damirov, assistant general manager for procurement.

Following the failed coup attempt in Turkey, the government of the country has started inspections in a number of companies operating in the country, including Petkim. The operation against supporters of Fethullah Gulen, started in Petkim on August, 2. The inspection was reported not to affect the work of the holding. Gulen, a preacher residing in the U.S. is accused of implementing the campaign to overthrow the government in Turkey.

Turkey’s Energy Minister Berat Albayrak recently said that inspections conducted by the Turkish state agencies in various companies are not related to the activities of SOCAR in the country.

Azerbaijan state energy giant SOCAR began its activity in Turkey after privatization of Petkim Holding in 2008 and has been operating under brand name of SOCAR Turkey. The company was acquired by SOCAR as a result of a tender of privatization.

The shareholders are SOCAR Turkey Petrokimya A.S. - 51 percent, SOCAR Turkey Enerji A.S. - 5.3216 percent, while 43.6784 percent of shares are in free float on the stock exchange. The complex is engaged in the production of plastic packages, fabrics, detergents, and is considered to be the sole Turkish manufacturer of such products, a quarter of which is exported.

--

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz