Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Turkey-Kyrgyzstan Commerce and Investment Forum and Bilateral Talks were held at the TOBB Twin Towers. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu hosted the event which was attended by Customs and Commerce Minister Bülent Tüfenkci, Republic of Kyrgyzstan Economy Minister Arzybek Kozhoshev, Republic of Kyrgyzstan Ambassador to Ankara İbragim Dzhunusov and Republic of Kyrgyzstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Marat Sharshekeev. During the forum in which bilateral talks were held, agreements for cooperation between institutions were signed.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the rapidly developing Republic of Kyrgyzstan is the shining star of its region, promising stability. Underlining the fact that Turkey is the largest industry giant between Italy and China, Hisarcıklıoğlu reporting that 92% of Turkey’s exports are comprised of industrial goods.

Stating that exporting over 50% of its goods to EU countries and the USA, Turkey has garnered its experience in the last 35 years, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“Turkey has no natural gas or oil, but it does have an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit. We get this spirit from our ancestral homeland, Kyrgyzstan. This spirit is also found in our Kyrgyz brothers. The path to prosperity for countries is not through natural gas or oil but through developing industry and commerce. Kyrgyzstan has a great geography. To the East is China, one of the largest economies of the world today. The historical Silk Road also provides opportunities. Kyrgyzstan is very fortunate in this regard.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB has built exemplary customs gates and is ready to share its experiences.

- Customs and Commerce Minister Tüfenkci

Customs and Commerce Minister Bülent Tüfenkci stated that they put great importance and the stability, democratic development and economic progress of Kyrgyzstan, “We don’t just want to prosper; we want our brother Kyrgyzstan to prosper as well. Let us grow and prosper together.”

Tüfenkci emphasized the historical ties which bind the two countries, stating that the political, trade, cultural and educational relations are conducted according to the rule of law and that the strategic relations between to two countries are built on mutual will.

- Kyrgyzstan Economy Minister Kozhoshev

Republic of Kyrgyzstan Economy Minister Arzybek Kozhoshev emphasized the importance of the forum in developing the cooperation between the two countries and that it will contribute to trade and financial relations.

Pointing out that Turkey was the first country to recognize Kyrgyzstan’s independence, Kozhoshev said, “Turkey is one of the most important economic and trade partners Kyrgyzstan has.”

Stressing the fact that relations between the two countries are built on solid foundations, Kozhoshev said, “We must not forget that we are brothers. Allah willing, Turkish-Kyrgyz relations will develop even further.”

- Other speakers

Republic of Kyrgyzstan Ambassador to Ankara İbragim Dzhunusov drew attention to the growing economic relations between the two countries and stated that many Turkish companies are among the largest in the world.

Inviting not just large companies but also SMEs to invest in Kyrgyzstan, Dzhunusov said, “Kyrgyzstan is situated very advantageously in terms of geography.”

Republic of Kyrgyzstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Marat Sharshekeev stated that the business communities of the two countries will be brought closer together thanks to the forum and new partnerships will be formed.

Following the speeches, individual cooperation protocols were signed between OSTİM OIZ Board, KOSGEB, TOBB and Republic of Kyrgyzstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.