Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

12^th Turkish Arab Economic Forum (TAF 2017) started with the opening session attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Şimşek and Vice Chairmen of TOBB Board of Directors Halim Mete and Ali Kopuz.

Speaking at the forum, Halim Mete stated that Turks and Arabs have very strong ties through being neighbors and familial bonds and said, “We have common values, culture and belief. For all these reasons, we see each other as siblings. We should act together as the nations with common roots in this region. We must adhere to the adage that ‘there is grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent’. In this way, we can bring peace, stability and wealth to our countries and our region.”

Mete said that in order to achieve this, the Turkish and Arab private sectors should be strengthened; that the main power of the countries comes from their private sectors.

- Turkey continues to draw in global investment

Halim Mete stated that Turkey continues to draw global investors, even after a treacherous coup on July 15^th and that Turkey has maintained stability and confidence in the eyes of international investors.

Mete said, “Turkey has successfully passed the most difficult of stress tests in the world. That's why I always say, nobody who invests in in Turkey loses.”

- Invitation for Arabs to invest in Turkey

Mete stated that the amount of international direct investment in Turkey is 74% European countries and 12% Islamic countries.

Noting that the share of Turkey in Islamic countries' investments abroad is very low, Mete invited Arab investors to invest more in Turkey, indicating that the European investor saw the opportunity to win and invested in Turkey.

- “We are ready to share our experience with our brothers and sisters”

Mete stated that in the field of industry, tourism and agriculture, they want to combine the production experience of the Turkish private sector with the capital accumulation of Arab countries as well as working closely with Arabs to develop entrepreneurship and empowerment of SMEs.