24.11.2016 İstanbul
The Turkish-Arab Chamber, headquartered in İstanbul, has been established with the signing of a protocol between the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the Union of Arab Chambers.
Speaking at the
protocol signing ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that
many businessmen from the Arab business community contacted him as soon as they
learned of the coup attempt on July 15th, conveying messages of support
Turkey.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that Turkey and the Arab region have been neighbors for a thousand years,
saying, “They shown once again that they are brothers to Turkey in good days
and bad."
Hisarcıklıoğlu went
on: “I hope that our neighborly relation will continue to thrive. Our relations
are built on very strong historical ties stemming from being neighbors and
brothers. Our civilizations and our cultures are intertwined. We are also very
involved in the Arab region in the economic sense. The Arab region, located on
the maritime ports of the historical Silk Road and the Turkish region through
which the Silk Road travels have been the guarantee of the prosperity of this
region throughout history. There is a great opportunity for these two regions to
come closer and to become a wealth zone again. Because the region is undergoing
troubles to which the only solution is us working together. "
- “We are taking a historic step forward”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that Union of Arab Chambers and TOBB are taking a historic step forward as the umbrella
organizations of the private sectors of the Arab League countries and Turkey, “Our
economic relations with the Arab region have improved significantly in recent
years. Trade volume increased by 7.5 times in 15 years. Our trade volume with the
Arabian region reached 47bn USD. An increase of 7.5 times in 15 years is
terrific.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu said
that the number of tourists in Turkey from the Arabian region increased by 9
times and reached 3 million. Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that Turkish businessmen
increased their direct investments into the Arab region by 36 times while Arab
investors increased their direct investments in Turkey by 23 times, reaching
10bn USD.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the Turkish private sector is very enthusiastic about doing more business
with the Arab world and that there is great potential before them, “The Arab
League makes up only 8% of our total foreign trade and Turkey only makes up 1%
of the Arab League’s foreign trade volume. There is a wide range of business that
we can work and develop. In order to utilize this potential, we are establishing
the Turkish-Arab Chamber.”
- “This will be the organization which puts out the red
carpet for the businessmen of both parties”
Stating that the Arab
League has a population of 390 million, an economy of 2.8 trillion USD and
foreign trade volume of 2.7 trillion USD; Turkey has a population of 80
million, a national income of 720 billion USD, foreign trade volume of 350
billion USD and is the 7th largest economy of the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu went
on:
“I’ve already told you
how enthusiastic our businessmen are about mutual investment and
commercialization. We have one more thing: We are the industrial giant of our region, a
giant in world tourism, and agricultural giant, a veritable giant in
construction. We will take bigger steps but we have no capital. The Arab world
has amassed great capital. At the same time, the Arab world is trying to leave
its dependence on oil behind. It is not very obvious from the outside but there
are industrialization and tourism moves being made in almost all of the Arab
countries. There are emerging brands in finance telecommunication. The
Turkish-Arab Chamber will bring the two sides together. We will bring together those
with experience and those who are looking for new investment opportunities. We are
establishing the Turkish-Arab Chamber together and opening up the gates of
prosperity for both sides. This will be the organization which puts out the red
carpet for the businessmen of both parties, the mutual contact point for both
sides which facilitates all business relations, which can be consulted to
eliminate bureaucratic obstacles to mutual investment and trade. If the people
of this region are to prosper, it will be the businessmen who make it possible.
The Turkish-Arab Chamber will be the guarantee of this.”
-The joint business call from the Arab business community
Calling for joint
investment between Turkey and Arab countries, Union of Arab Chambers and Jordan
Chamber of Commerce Chair, Senator Nael Al Kabariti said, “We are here to
represent the Turkish and Arab private sector. We must find common points
between Arab countries and Turkey and make joint investments that will increase
employment. There is a great deal of unemployment in Arab countries. On either
side we have to begin projects which will increase employment as soon as
possible. We must increase employment. This also accelerates the socio-cultural
development of nations. I think we can overtake the trade figures of the
European Union.”
Al Kabariti, stated
that look to the example of Turkey's upright stance and hard work and said, “We
are in a very important country with its upright stance and hard work. We are drawing
inspiration from Turkey and learning from its example. The events of July 15th
are a very important. It showed how you stand up against a coup and how you
stand against those who want to seize your country. The citizens of this
country are very courageous and very multicultural.”
Al Kabariti stated
that the meeting was a great opportunity and that it should be put to good use,
“The establishment of the Turkish and Arab Chamber will take us to greater
heights. Today changes everything. Although there may be small conflicts in some
countries, these can be resolved in a short time. I think that we will be able
to move on to the better things from here, starting from the historical
importance of Turkey. We recognize that Turkey is a great power. We must begin
work to remove all obstacles for Arab countries' investments in Turkey. We are
expecting efforts from Turkish and Arab institutions to this end. We must
discuss how we can strengthen cooperation between our countries in the
construction sector. We see that Turkey's export figures are good and those of Arab
countries are growing rapidly, but we have to work together to move on to greater
heights.”
- We are awaiting Turkish construction companies
Federation of
Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and African Chamber of Unions President Ahmed Al
Wakeel, emphasized that a very important foundation has been laid today for
Turk-Arab relations and said, “The steps taken for investments and trade will
accelerate development of both culture and society”
General Secretary of
Jordan Investment Support Agency Mikhled Al Omari pointed out that they are open
to all construction investments and invited Turkish businessmen to invest in
construction in Jordan.