Ministry clarifies source of privatization revenue!

The source of the 185 billion lira in privatization revenue announced in the 2025 Medium-Term Program (OVP) has been clarified. Government officials stated that the claims regarding the sale of bridges and highways, which have sparked significant public debate, are not true.

While privatization revenues were expected to be 21 billion lira last year, this figure, which stood at 18.1 billion lira in 2024, is targeted to reach 185 billion lira next year. While this significant increase raised many questions about the privatization program, the statement issued denied the claims that 'bridges and highways will be sold'.

NO "SALE" OF BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS, ONLY TRANSFER OF OPERATING RIGHTS

In a correction statement made by the DMM (Center for Combating Disinformation), it was stated that privatization revenues would not be provided through the transfer of ownership of bridges and highways, but only through the transfer of operating rights. Furthermore, it was stated that the claims circulating on social media recently that the "15 July Martyrs Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge will be sold" are completely baseless.

The DMM made the following statement on the matter: "There is no question of selling the bridges and highways in the privatization program. This process is only related to the transfer of operating rights, and a transfer of ownership is not legally possible."

CLAIMS DENIED: SALE OF BRIDGES IS IMPOSSIBLE BY LAW

The DMM's statement also drew attention to the legal basis for the privatization of highways and bridges. A legal basis for the transfer of operating rights for highways and bridges was established with the Law No. 4046 on Privatization Practices, enacted in 1994. With a decision taken in 2010, bridges and highways were included in the scope of privatization.

Accordingly, although bridges and highways were included in the scope of privatization with the decision of the Privatization High Council dated October 15, 2010, a transfer of ownership is not possible. By law, only the right to operate and maintain can be transferred to the private sector.

SOURCE OF REVENUE: TRANSFERS OF OPERATING RIGHTS

The statement emphasized that the source of the 185 billion lira in privatization revenue is the transfer of operating rights for bridges and highways. This revenue will be generated through the transfer of operating rights of public assets held by the state.

The Ministry reported that work on this matter is ongoing and that the procedures will be initiated once the privatization strategy is determined.