Under the Patronage of H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, The Prime Minister of Turkey, the 3rd Turkish-Arab Economic Forum will be held on 12 and 13 June 2008 in Ceylan InterContinental Hotel, Istanbul, organized by Al Iktissad Wal Aamal Group in cooperation with the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and the League of Arab States.

Building on the success of the first and second forums in 2005 and 2006, the 3rd Turkish-Arab Economic Forum promises once again to be a major regional business and economic event, bringing together a select group of speakers and participants from Turkey, the Arab world, and other countries, including high-ranking government officials and policy makers, banking finance, trade and industry leaders, businessmen and investors, the heads of major Arab, Turkish and international companies and institutions, specialists on the region, major media representatives, other concerned parties.

More than recent years, Turkey and the Arab world are today at a major juncture that is rich with opportunities and potential for a deepening of mutual economic relations and cooperation, and a widening of investment and financial ties.

Powered by increasing industrial production and exports, an expanding services sector, and a large inflow of direct foreign investment, Turkey has posted solid growth averaging around 7.2% annually since 2003. Continuing reform measures have created a liberal, competitive investment environment and Turkey today offers a growing wealth of investment prospects and opportunities, particularly in industry, real estate development, and tourism. But Turkey's importance goes beyond that to its growing strategic stature as a major military power, a voice of moderation in the region, an essential route and hub of energy supplies to the West, and a potential member of the European Union.

The Arab world is also going through a full fledged process of structural change and economic reform that is carried forward on a historically unprecedented and rising tide of oil surpluses. The impact of these developments has been evident through strong economic growth across the region, growing demand for consumer and capital goods, a rush towards new development strategies and plans, a massive order book of projects in the Gulf countries, and increasing competition for foreign investment and know how. Alongside all that, the rise of the new huge sovereign funds, notably those of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Qatar has made these and other Gulf countries major players in regional and international direct investments, as well as on world financial markets.

In short, the case for synergies in growth, development plans, investment opportunities and strategic priorities between Turkey and the Arab world is growing stronger by the day and the Third Turkish-Arab Economic Forum comes at the most opportune time to look at the issues and dimensions of Turkish Arab economic relations and to explore the way forward.

For the first time also, the 2008 forum will be a platform for a special high-level meeting of Turkish and Arab political leaders, considering and discussing the future of Turkish-Arab political relations and ways of improving coordination on major regional and international issues.

The 3rd Turkish-Arab Economic Forum will provide an ideal environment for a meeting of minds for a full discussion and analysis of all outstanding issues and challenges on the Agenda of closer Turkish-Arab economic ties, and a look forward to future opportunities and priorities in this respect. It will also provide an ideal opportunity to interact with leading government officials and high profile business leaders, and to explore future business and investment prospects in the region.