Balkans, Mediterranean to join forces

Thursday, March 27, 2008
ISTANBUL – Turkish Daily News

 Parallel to Turkey's integration process into the European Union, collaboration for synergy would not only serve Balkans but also surrounding regions, said Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB).

 “Our main concern is to develop regional cooperation. Within this framework, we will sign a business cooperation agreement as the Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) with the Association of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) to establish strong business relations between countries of the region,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu, during ABC's first general assembly in Istanbul yesterday.

 Within the framework of regional cooperation, the "Mediterranean Business Partneria" will be organized between May 15-18 in Antalya. Some 300 buyers of 10 sectors from 44 countries are expected to participate in the event. This project aims to further develop markets for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) via establishing a wide business network and building partnerships on sector level from different countries, said Hisarcıklıoğlu.

 Turkey's total investments in Balkan countries have reached $1.5 billion, he said. Adding to that Turkish capital that is invested through third countries, the figure is approximately $1.9 billion, Hisarcıklıoğlu said.

 “The value of housing projects [in the Balkans] that have been undertaken by Turkish contractors is $4.5 billion. These data show that we are strengthening our economic relations with Balkan countries,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu. “Currently 15,000 Turkish companies and 20,000 Turkish business people are operating in Balkan countries.”