21.02.2014 Australia
The Australia - Turkey Business Council has been established. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that the current level of trade between the two countries does not reflect its full potential, expressed their desire to engender stronger economic relations with the Asia Pacific region.
The Australia - Turkey Business Council was
established, under the witness of Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and
TOBB/DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, through an agreement signed by the
Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEİK) and the Australian Industry Group
(AIG).
The meeting which began with the opening
speeches of AIG Director Mark Goodsell and DEİK Turkish-Australian Business
Council President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ali
Babacan and TOBB/DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu as well as the TOBB
Board Member Cengiz Günay, Turkish and Australian CEOs.
Expressing his hopes for the success of the
agreement signed between the two institutions, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu
underlined the historical friendship between the two countries and said,
"Our current trade volume does not reflect its full potential."
Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out that there is a
shifting trend from the west to the east in economy as one of the results of
the global crisis, expressed that engendering stronger and more varied trade
relations with the Asia Pacific region is in line with Turkey's strategic
interests. TOBB/DEİK President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, "This is the right
time to create stronger economic relations between Australia and Turkey."
Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan stated that
the agreement is very important in regards to creating more opportunities for
the representatives of the Turkish and Australian private sectors, pointing out
the common ground of democracy, human rights and liberal economy valued by the
people of Turkey and Australia. Stating that the preparations for the
Centennial Anzac Memorial Ceremony will be held in 2015, Babacan reported that
preparations have already begun, "We are anticipating a record number of
Australian visitors to Çanakkale in the next year; this will bring our peoples
closer."
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Turkish diaspora in Australia convened at the World Turkish Businessmen Council
Following the founding of the Australia -
turkey Business Council, Babacan and Hisarcıklıoğlu met with the DTİK members
and the Turks living in the region in a meeting attended by over 120 people;
they expressed their pleasure in finding such a large attendance.
TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that
Turkey, with its current economy, has relatively little to no relations with
Australia - stating that if Turks do not act in unity and solidarity, they will
miss significant opportunities for growth.
Babacan emphasized the importance of embracing
each other for Turks living abroad.
The meeting continued with questions from
attendees, focusing on an exchange of ideas for developing economic and trade
relations between Turkey and Australia.