Under the patronage of Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan

H.E. Ali Babacan, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister, inaugurates the Fourth Turkish-Arab Economic Forum

The Forum is attended by about 600 eminent Arab and Turkish economic leaders

Opening ceremony: from the right to the left: Mohamed El Fatah Naciri; Raouf Abou Zaki; Ali Babacan, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister; Rifat Hisarciklioglu and Alpaslan Korkmaz

The Fourth Turkish-Arab Economic Forum, was held on the 11th and 12th of June, attended by more than 600 participants, including Ministers, representatives of Arab and Turkish governmental bodies, business leaders from various Arab and Turkish economic sectors and representatives of economic bodies and associations. An addition to the forum this year was a Saudi delegation formed by more than 60 participants representing major Saudi companies.

The opening session brought together many eminent speakers including H.E. Ali Babacan, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, who declared: “I would like to seize this opportunity to say that Turkish-Arab relations are on the right path with efforts to promote socio-economic development and closer ties between our countries. We have today with Arab countries many agendas that cover not only the economic dimension but also the political dimension, particularly with regards to the peace process in Palestine. That’s why we are working on several levels to achieve our goals.

Mr. Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, stated:” all Turkish institutions are making every effort to enhance cooperation with Arab countries and strengthen mutual relations bringing them to higher level and linking them to regional and international ties”.

Mr. Alpaslan Korkmaz, President of the Prime Ministry Investment Support & Promotion Agency-ISPAT/Turkey concluded his address by saying: "I reiterate that this forum provides great opportunities for investors, Arabs and Turks alike. It also provides a common ground between Turkey and the Arab States to help us promote socio-economic and political relations among our countries. All of our government agencies are ready to serve our economic aspirations and relations with Arab countries”.

Mr. Raouf Abou Zaki, General Manager of Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group said: “Let our deliberations in this forum be another step to achieve our goals and promote their sustainability and development in order to form a supportive and helpful framework to realize all our aspirations”.