Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Turkish-Albanian Business Forum was held at the TOBB Union Center, hosted by TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu and attended by the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan.

In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that it is very important for the Albania to complete its financial and social development in order to integrate with Western institutions and that, just as he has been there for the Turkish people, he will be there for the Albanian people from that day forth.

Thanking the Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan for attending the Business Forum and providing his support, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“Mr. Babacan has always stood with the private sector from the day he was appointed to his position. He has become a brandname worldwide for financial management. Turkey performance during the crisis was achieved specifically through this brand control.”

- Countries which increase cooperation will benefit together

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that cooperation for countries which share the same geography and have common goals is now more important than ever, “Countries which fail to increase bilateral trade and investments will be on the losing side in the new era. Those that do increase cooperation will win together. In this regard, the Balkans of which we are an inseparable part, carry special significance for us.

As our neighbor, we regard Albania as brothers. Expressing this in the best possible way is the author of our National Anthem, Mehmet Akif Ersoy. Ersoy is both your and our brother. He saw no difference between Turk and Albanian. We share the same sentiments. Albania’s problems are our problems. The woes of our Albanian brothers are our woes. This is why we must cooperate in the coming era. We must experience this fraternity not only in words and politics, but also in terms of economy.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that in the last 10 years, significant success has been achieved in bilateral economic relations, and went on, “We have much greater opportunities to make our countries richer in the coming era. We, as the Turkish private sector, are ready to make the necessary investments to Albania in order to vitalize the summer, winter and health tourism potential of Albania. As the second largest construction contractor in the world, we stand ready to realize the rapidly developing infrastructure and superstructure projects of Albania. We are ready to provide the support needed for the Trans-Adriatic Natural Gas Pipeline Project bringing Greece’s natural gas over Albania to Italy and other West European countries.”

- Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, stating that the economic relations have increased by 9 times since 2005, said, “Turkey is a country sprinting forth in the economic arena today. Turkey has weathered the financial fallout of the world crisis the best.”

In his speech at the Turkish-Albanian Business Forum held at the TOBB Twin Towers, Berisha said that there are a thousand connections between Turkey and Albania and stated, “There is also a strong family bond of blood. The number of Albanians living in Turkey is greater than other countries. Shared history of Turkey and Albania is inspirational for cooperation opportunities.”

Stating that Albania provides the best conditions for foreign investors, Berisha said, “Albania is one of the 10 countries that interfere in the business environment the least. Freedom of the business environment is important for development. We are working to remove all bureaucratic obstacles.

Investment in the beaches and mountains of Albania will be tax-free for 8 years.”

Reporting that Albania is rich in mines, Berisha stated that Turkish businessmen are operating in Albania and invited more to come.

- Other speakers

Turkish-Albanian Business Forum President Haşmet Kürüm, Union of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Albania President Ilir Zhilla also made speeches, inviting Turkish businessmen to invest in Albania.

After the speeches, an agreement between the Albanian and Turkish postal organizations was signed. Albanian Prime Minister was presented with a vase after which he signed the memorial ledger.
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