23.12.2015 Ankara
During the Economic Cooperation organization Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECO CCI) 20th Executive Council Meeting, emphasis was put on increasing cooperation between countries, eliminating restrictions to trade such as visas, strengthening infrastructure through modernizing border customs. A call was made to sign the ECOTA Agreement which aims to facilitate trade.
The opening of the Economic Cooperation organization Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (ECO CCI) 20th Executive Council Meeting was hosted by
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu with the attendances of the Minister of
Development Cevdet Yılmaz, ECCO CCI and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and
Industry of Pakistan Chairman Mian Muhammad Adrees, ECO Secretary General Halil
İbrahim Akça and Iran Chamber of Trade, Industry, Mining and Agriculture Vice
Chair Gholamhossein Shafei.
TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the sun is once again
rising from the east in regards to global economy, stressing the need to
eliminate obstacles to trade. Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Turkey draws in 25
billion USD annually in foreign capital and expressed their wish to have the
ECOTA enter into effect in all ECO Region countries. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that
the ECO Region is underperforming when its full economic potential is taken
into account.
Emphasizing the importance of modernizing customs gates, Hisarcıklıoğlu
underlined the need to standardize customs procedures similar to what is being
coordinated between Turkey and Iran.
Pointing out that the matter of arbitration also requires resolution,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As ECO, we are discussing where we should establish the
arbitration system, we should instead establish the system.”
- Development Minister Yılmaz
Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized the strategic importance
of ECO, pointing out that economic activity has shifted from west to east in
intensity. Minister Yılmaz urged the utilization of ECOTA to increase
prosperity in the region.
- Other speakers
ECCO CCI and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan
Chairman Mian Muhammad Adrees stated that we are facing untraditional threats
and dangers and said that increasing interregional cooperation contributes to
development and trade.
Iran Chamber of Trade, Industry, Mining and Agriculture Vice Chair
Gholamhossein Shafei stated that recent crises could be an opportunity for
countries to come closer to each other.
An agreement between TOBB and the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and
Trade was signed in regards to the formation of a work committee. Signing the
agreement were TOBB Board Member Yahya Toplu and Azarakhsh Hafizi on behalf of
Afghanistan.
- Final declaration
Also reviewed during the meeting were the final declarations from
council meetings of Transportation, Facilitation of Trade, Industry and
Investment, Tourism and Arbitration Committees as well as the Women
Entrepreneurs Council. The declaration was read out by ECCO CCI and Federation
of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan Chairman Mian Muhammad Adrees.
Adrees stated that the meetings which took place throughout two days were
exceptionally fruitful and productive; he also thanked TOBB for hosting the
event.
Adrees spoke on the various issues discussed in the declaration such as
drawing in investments, increasing bilateral trade among ECO countries,
Sharia-compliant banking tools and halal products, science, industry and
technology.
TOBB Board Member Yahya Topuklu thanked and congratulated all attendees
for the very successful meetings held throughout the two days.
Afghanistan representative Azarakhsh Hafizi expressed his thanks for the
support of his suggestion that the next meeting be held in Afghanistan.