TAF 2005 Highlights

Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group organized the 1st Turkish-Arab Economic Forum in Istanbul on May 5-6, 2005. A large number of Turkish and Arab politicians and economists attended this forum. TAF'05 was also attended by the Jordanian, Syrian and Turkish Ministers of Economy and Trade. In addition, entrepreneurs, leading regional and international companies and authorities also participated at TAF'05.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan; Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul; State Minister, Kursad Tuzmen; and Minister of Finance, Kemal Unakitan, also supported TAF'05 theme, especially that the Late Former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri, wished to organize it in Istanbul.

Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, made the opening remarks at the 1st Turkish Arab Economic Forum.

Lifetime Achievement Awards:
Lifetime achievement awards were presented to:

• Mr. Khaled Ahmad Ali Rida, Chairman of Saudi Cable
• Mr. Rahmi Koç, Chairman of Koç Group

They were awarded for their achievements in expanding the Turkish and Arab ties through their trade exchange.

Recommendations:

• The Turkish State minister H.E. Kursad Tuzmen, called for "the creation of an Arab-Turkish free zone that gathers all Arab countries"
• Mr. Hicham Yousef, Representative of the Secretary General, The League of Arab States called for the "establishment of a joint Turkish-Arab chamber and research center for developing co-operation."
• Mr. Mehmet Habbab, Chairman of the Lebanese-Turkish Business Council emphasized the importance of the Forum as "a first Turkish Arab Economic Forum, and assured that these meetings must go on to strength the Turkish Arab relations"
• Mr. Ahmed Bin Arfa, Chairman of the Tunisian-Turkish Business Council called for the creation of "a federation for Arab-Turkish business councils in order to promote cooperation and unify the efforts of those concerned".

Click here to view TAF’05 photo gallery.