18.02.2016 İstanbul
TOBB Board Vice President Ali Kopuz, in his speech at the Central Asia Investment Forum, talked about the cooperation between the Union and Central Asian countries, stating that the establishment of joint trade and industry chambers is on the agenda.
Reporting that, as of 2015, Turkey’s trade volume with the region’s
countries is 10bn USD, Kopuz stated that the total investment of companies into
the region has surpassed 5bn USD.
Kopuz said, “Turkish construction companies’ total project value in the
region is approximately 100bn USD. There are approximately 2,500 Turkish
companies active in the region. The improvement of the investment climate in
Central Asian Republics and the facilitation of trade will contribute to the
integration period of these countries into the international community.
Stressing the fact that the Central Asia region is well on its way to
becoming an international center for transportation and shipping, Kopuz stated
that they view the Silk Road as a great opportunity to this end.
Kopuz stated that the Central Asian Republics stand at the center of a
strategic region and newly developing energy resources in the 21st
century, “The Eurasian energy security issue can only be implemented to include
the USA and Europe through an alternative with Turkey.”
- Deputy Prime Minister Şimşek
Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Şimşek stated that there are deep and
strong historical and cultural bonds between Turkey and Central Asian
countries, stating that Turkey is ready to provide all the support these
countries need for development along with the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD).
Providing information regarding various developments and reform packages
in Turkey and the world in general, Şimşek stated that the global economic
growth has slowed down and that developing and developed countries are
continuing growth lower rates.
- EBRD Chair Chakrabarti
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Chair Suma
Chakrabarti stated that Turkey is one of the most important parts of EBRD’s
success story, “Turkish companies are immensely developed in the fields of
construction, logistics, hotels, retail and agriculture.”
Thanking their partner, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of
Turkey (TOBB), Chakrabarti went on to talk about the goals of EBRD which was
founded 25 years ago.