Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his happiness for King Abdullah’s visit.

Stating that the strong will to strengthen the relations between the two countries in both Turkey and Jordan is encouraging them greatly to do business, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Jordan is one of the Middle East’s strategic countries.

Drawing attention to the fact that Jordan plays a pioneering and determinative role in the political and economic developments of its region, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This is why peace and prosperity in Jordan means peace and prosperity in the Middle East.”

Reporting that they view the political and economic reforms of Jordan with pride and admiration, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that King Abdullah’s vision excites them greatly.

Pointing out that a “wait and see” policy is unviable for the Middle East, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We must be proactive. We must not be directed by hardships; we must direct hardships.”

They are aware that they are the driving force behind the economy as the representatives of the Turkish and Jordanian business worlds, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they wish to use this power to its fullest.

Reminding that the bilateral trade volume of the two countries had reached 870 million USD as of the end of 2012, Hisarcıklıoğlu went on: “The Free Trade Agreement which was signed in 2009 and which entered into effect in 2011 has increased our trade volume by 50%. Our economic relations have been strengthened via agreements; our cooperation has acquired an institutional quality and we have found alternative commerce methods by creating solutions together. The mutual lifting of visas has been one of the major factors in this process. We present our gratitude to His Majesty for his political will. We will not be content with this though; we aim to increase our bilateral trade to 2 billion USD as soon as possible.”

Stating that Turkish investments in Jordan have exceeded 250 million USD, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the number of projects undertaken by Turkish contracting companies in the last year was 39, with a project value of 2.5 billion USD.

- Support requested for EXPO 2020

Stating that the countries which secede from international affairs will be the ones to lose, Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed that such an understanding may turn opportunity into risk.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that with the transformation it has undergone in the last 30 years, Turkey has a lot of experience to pass on to other countries and went on to say that the relations between the two countries need to be improved.

Reminding that İzmir is a candidate for the EXPO 2020 Fair, Hisarcıklıoğlu requested King Abdullah’s support for İzmir’s candidacy.

- King Abdullah II of Jordan

Stating that the whole world has been affected by the economic crisis, King Abdullah II of Jordan said, “Gulf investor want to return to Jordan. I invite Turkish entrepreneurs to come and see Jordan.”

King Abdullah expressed his happiness for the advancement of the relations between the two countries. Stating that there are many investment opportunities in Jordan, King Abdullah said that they wish to form partnerships with Turkish entrepreneurs.