Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The delegation, headed by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, consisting of more than 50 businessmen, has traveled to Jordan. The TOBB delegation, received by Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Al Mulki in Amman, had the opportunity to discuss economic affairs and problems with Prime Minister Al Muki. The Ministers of Finance, Water Affairs, Transport, Industry, Trade and Economy of Jordan also attended the meeting.

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TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, who attended the Turkey-Jordan Business Forum following his meeting with the Prime Minister of Jordan, stated that they wanted to increase investments in Jordan to 1 billion USD and to increasing the shares of Turkish companies in water and infrastructure projects there. Also attending the Forum in addition to Hisarcıklıoğlu were Jordan Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Yarub Qudah, Jordan Chamber of Commerce President Senator Nael Al Kabariti and Turkish Ambassador to Amman Murat Karagöz. Attending the forum were 50 Turkish businessmen from the TOBB delegation and 145 businessman from Jordan.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated their high hopes for the Free Trade Agreement, put into effect in 2011, but stated that there have been some troubles during the process. “We want to do more business in Jordan by increasing our investments, reaching 1 billion USD. As Turkish companies, we want to get more share in infrastructure, superstructure, transportation, water and energy projects in Jordan. Not only here; we want to jointly invest with Jordanian companies and evaluate investment opportunities in Turkey and third countries together,” he said.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Every agreement our business people make is a service to the country, service to the region; as valuable as worship.” He said that every partnership businessmen made was the seed for peace in the region. The TOBB President said, “We, as the business community can make this region a basin of prosperity. We do not want medals from the administration. All we want is for them to open the way for investments.”

- There are important opportunities in Jordan

Explaining that Turkey, which does not have oil or natural gas, has achieved great success with the power of entrepreneurship, Hisarcıklıoğlu also mentioned opportunities in Jordan. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the immigrant population in Jordan is a great opportunity, “Because we live in Turkey. Industrialization and enrichment of many cities in the western part of Turkey was hugely impacted by the arrival of our compatriots from the Balkans 100 years ago. The small businesses they opened were transformed into gigantic factories, growing over time. Now we see the same opportunity in Jordan. That's why we want to bring more entrepreneurs here. We want to conduct joint projects to encourage women, young people and immigrants towards becoming entrepreneurs.”

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the concepts of Peace-Commerce-Wealth are inextricably integrated, using the phrase “If we want peace and wealth in our countries and in our region, the key is to increase trade.”

- Jordanian Chamber of Commerce President offers to cooperate

Jordan Chamber of Commerce President Senator Nael Al Kabariti addressed the Turkish businessmen, saying, “Welcome to your second home. We should stand side by side as the private sector; we should do more business with Turkey.” Stating that they should be partners, not competitors, Kabariti said, “There are great possibilities in Jordan. Let's do business together. Jordan is safe country.”

After the forum, bilateral business talks were held between the two countries' delegations.