Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Turkey-Bulgaria Business Forum was held in Sofia. The Forum was graced by the President of the Republic Abdullah Gül and Bulgaria President Georgi Pirvanov, wherein TOBB and DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu made a speech.

In his speech Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that 26,000 Turkish companies had a total of 700,000 Euros in Bulgaria and that Turkish construction contractors had completed 1.1 billion Euros worth of projects.

Stating that the two countries had a lot of economic potential, Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “There’s an old Bulgarian saying; The soup can only have what’s in the bag. Only what the politicians put in the bag can be reflected by us.”

“There’s inevitably trouble where there is business, there are no problems only if nothing happens” said Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that political will would pioneer the way clear of troubles. He stated that the mandatory employment of 10 Bulgarians is prohibitive to Turkish SMBs wanting to invest in Bulgaria.

- President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gül

In his speech at the Turkey-Bulgaria Business Forum, President of the Republic Abdullah Gül stated that he commerce between the two countries should reach 10 billion Dollars eventually. He went on to say that Turkey was interested not only in neighbor relations but relations in the whole region stating that we would like economic and political relations in the region to be stronger.

- President of the Republic of Bulgaria Georgi Pirvanov

Republic President Georgi Pirvanov stated that their duty is Presidents was to establish trust between countries. He expressed his happiness at the improving trade between the two states and said that with an establishment of further trust, it would be possible to better trade relations.

Asking Turkish and Bulgarian businessmen to establish more frequent contacts, Pirvanov suggested cooperation in the tourism and culture sectors.

-Inspecting the Doğuş Construction Sofia Subway worksite

TOBB and DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, along with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül instected the Doğuş Construction Sofia Subway worksite. Also attending the inspection were Doğuş Holding Council President Ferit Şahenk and Mardin Independent Assembly Representative Ahmet Türk.

- Hisarcıklıoğlu other contacts

During his visit, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, along with Customs Undersecretary Ziya Altunyaldız and International Transporters Association President Ruhi Engin Özmen, met with Bulgaria Customs Agency General Director Vanyo Tanov in a meeting. Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed interest in constructing the Kapıkule Bulgaria Customs and both sides of the Dereköy customs gate with TOBB’s GTI Inc.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also met with Bulgaria-Turkey Inter-Parliament Friendship Group President, Right and Freedoms Party Assembly Member Ramadan Atalay.
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