Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Also attending the meeting were the Tunisian Prime Minister Hammadi Jebali, Foreign Affairs Minister Rafik Abdesselam, Minister of Economic and Social Affairs Ridha Saidi, Investment and International Cooperation Minister Riadh Bettaieb and Tunisia’s Ambassador to Ankara Mehrez Ben Rhouma.

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech after Jebali joined the summit, drew attention to the deep rooted friendship built on shared history and culture and emphasized that even though Turkey and Tunisia together have a trade volume of over 400 billion USD, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries is only 1.1 billion USD.

Stating that this figure does not suit the bonds of friendship between the two countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that a new hope and stability is on the rise in Tunisia.

Emphasizing the importance of the Jasmine Revolution for Tunisia and the Arab world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that Tunisia has undertaken a true struggle for democracy in this regard.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, expressing that Turkey is prepared to give the necessary support for Tunisia to become a more democratic and richer country, said, “The 500 million USD our country has provided Tunisia as funds is proof of our trust in Tunisia’s future. We wish to rise together with our neighbors; to win with them. We aim to strengthen our partnership with Tunisia in regards to investment and trade with tangible projects. We support the Turkey-Tunisia Business Council and want a new age in Turkey-Tunisia affairs.”

- Tunisia Prime Minister Jebali

Tunisia Prime Minister Jebali said,”The new Tunisia will open new horizons for our brother Turks to invest in.”

Thanking the Turkish people for the support they have shown Tunisia and the Tunisian people, Jebali reported that they are working to bring relations between the two countries to their highest level both in regards to quality as well as quantity.
Stating that they are preparing a law to address investments in all fields, Jebali reported that they are reviewing the investment and finance system.

Stating that they will support private investments Jebali said that they put great importance and high added value, information technology investments.

Jebali stated that bilateral investments will take the relations between the two countries forward and ended his speech by inviting those attending to visit Tunisia.

- Prime Minister Deputy Babacan

Prime Minister Deputy Ali Babacan stated that Turkey views Tunisia as a friend and brother country.
Stating that both countries have a deeply rooted shared culture and history, Babacan said that more important than both, there is a great friendship between the two peoples.

Reporting that Prime Ministers Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Hammadi Jebali would be signing a joint political proclamation, Babacan stated that a high level strategic cooperation council has been formed between the two countries.

Stating that Turkey will always be with the Tunisian state in all processes, Babacan said that they expect the same from the Turkish private sector.

Babacan stated that the support of the Turkish private sector would be to the benefit of both countries and went on, “I would like to congratulate Tunisia’s people who stood up with courage and honor to undertake a true revolution. I would like to emphasize once again that the Turkish people will always stand by the people of Tunisia in their honorable pursuit of democracy. I heartily believe that the members of TOBB will also contribute to Tunisia’s efforts for development.”
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