Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the global economy is undergoing an interesting period and said, “What we knew to be true turns has become false. This may bring new opportunities. We are working for the prosperity and development of the region.

Let’s not forget that our cooperation is not of great importance just for this region but the future of the global economy as a whole.”

With a combined GNP of 2 trillion USD, ECO makes up about 25 of global trade, reported Hisarcıklıoğlu and said, “We must work harder and move together. The only way to reach prosperity is through removing restrictions to trade. That we have become a center of commerce and industry this is because we have removed restrictions to trade.”

Drawing attention to the ECOTA agreement which aims to facilitate trade between ECO countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the need to have more countries sign the agreement. The TOBB President urged businessmen to pressure politicians to participate in ECOTA. Hisarcıklıoğlu also touched on the restrictions posed by visas at the end of his speech and called for the lifting of visas.

- ECO CCI Chair Adrees

ECCO CCI and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan Chairman Mian Muhammad Adrees stated that the region’s peoples have great propensity for trade but that economic integration is lacking. Adrees stressed the importance of moving in unison in order to find solutions to problems.

Emphasizing the importance of removing restrictions for entrepreneurs, ECCO CCI and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan Chairman Mian Muhammad Adrees underlined the necessity of integration and added that he foresees ECO becoming a much stronger power center in the future.