06.02.2012 / İstanbul
Turkey – Gulf Cooperation Council Business Forum Gala Dinner was held with the attendances of the TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan.
Speaking at the dinner, Babacan started his speech by relaying the greetings of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Stating that they put great importance on the development of the culture of cooperation and an environment of dialogue in a shared geography with countries that share history and culture, Babacan said, “It is belief that the Turkey – Gulf Cooperation Council Business Forum starting today, hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, will become a touchstone in terms of our economic and commercial relations.
Relating how established bonds of friendship and fraternity exist between Turkey and the Gulf countries, Ali Babacan stated that they wish to strengthen and further develop these bonds, take a strategic view of these relations and to open up new horizons for cooperation.
In order to have bilateral trade to fully reflect its potential, the Free Trade Agreement must needs be signed as soon as possible stated Babacan and went on, “In this context, holding the 5th round negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement, which will provide Turkey and the whole of the Gulf region with new and varied commercial and investment opportunities. We must pool our resources so that this agreement, which will deepen our economic cooperation and serve the common interests of all the Gulf Cooperation Council member countries, should be finalized without losing any more time.”
After the speech TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu presented the Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan with a commemorative plaque.
