13.02.2014 Ankara
The 8th meeting for the İstanbul Forum, formed by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Federation of Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), which aims for economic cooperation between Turkey Afghanistan and Pakistan, was held at the TOBB Twin towers.
Attending the meeting
were TOBB and İstanbul Forum President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Federation of
Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Zekeriya Osman, Afghanistan
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) CEO and Afghanistan-Turkish Business
Council President Muhammed Qurban Haqjo, Turkish-Afghan Business Council
President Cihan Candemir, Turkish-Pakistani Business Council President Amjad Rafi
and TOBB Board Member Memiş Kütükcü.
The 8th
İstanbul Forum Joint Proclamation was presented at the Çankaya Palace during
the Tri-Partite Summit to the Presidents of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Proclamation
points out the fact that the economic integration potential between the three
countries is not yet fully actualized and states that this is due to the fact
that logistical networks are not sufficiently utilized.
Forum members
expressed that by strengthening transportation relations towards Central and
South Asia would provide a driving force for the integration of Afghanistan,
Turkey and Pakistan as well as the proliferation of economic activity between
the three countries.
Support for the Six
Corridor initiative under CAREC was expressed for the implementation of peace
in the heart of Asia.
Forum members stated
that they are demanding the rapid facilitation of faster visa procedures in
order to assist in engendering stronger relations between the business
communities and that they are prepared to take on whatever responsibilities are
necessary for them as chambers.