Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Attending the meeting were TOBB and İstanbul Forum President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Federation of Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Zekeriya Osman, Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) CEO and Afghanistan-Turkish Business Council President Muhammed Qurban Haqjo, Turkish-Afghan Business Council President Cihan Candemir, Turkish-Pakistani Business Council President Amjad Rafi and TOBB Board Member Memiş Kütükcü.

The 8^th İstanbul Forum Joint Proclamation was presented at the Çankaya Palace during the Tri-Partite Summit to the Presidents of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Proclamation points out the fact that the economic integration potential between the three countries is not yet fully actualized and states that this is due to the fact that logistical networks are not sufficiently utilized.

Forum members expressed that by strengthening transportation relations towards Central and South Asia would provide a driving force for the integration of Afghanistan, Turkey and Pakistan as well as the proliferation of economic activity between the three countries.

Support for the Six Corridor initiative under CAREC was expressed for the implementation of peace in the heart of Asia.

Forum members stated that they are demanding the rapid facilitation of faster visa procedures in order to assist in engendering stronger relations between the business communities and that they are prepared to take on whatever responsibilities are necessary for them as chambers.