Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

 

Attending the Forum were the President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gül, King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Sweden Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Catharina Elmsater Svard and many businessmen. In his speech during the closing of the forum, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Sweden, one of the strongest countries of Europe, is a country of economic power, technology and innovation, and said that the capacity and productivity of the people are clearly brought forth. Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that Turkey has entered into the leagues of the most important economies of Europe and the world in almost every sector. Stating that the time to being a new era between the two countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that there are many possibilities for cooperation in many important fields such as informatics and communications technologies.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, stressing that Turkey not being party to EU's free trade agreements in regards to visas and especially over land transportation quotas is unfair, requested from the authorities to make efforts to address these issues.

- Agreement for cooperation in the area of environmental technologies

The closing session of the Turkish-Swedish Business Forum was held at the Grand Hotel with the attendances of President Gül and Carl Gustaf WVI of Sweden. The Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Investment Cooperation in the Area of Environment Technologies was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and the Sweden Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Catharina Elmsater Svard in the presence of President Gül and Carl Gustaf WVI of Sweden.

- Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan

In his speech during the Turkish-Swedish Business Forum, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan stated that the combination of the advantages of Swedish and Turkish companies will provide promising results in regards to the process of doing business and said that this would benefit not only Sweden and Turkey, but third countries as well.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan stated that the two countries share many policies in regards to global issues and offered his thanks for Sweden's strong and honest support for Turkey's EU membership.

Mentioning that cooperation in the fields of economy and trade make up a good deal of the cooperation between the two countries, Babacan stated that the potential of the countries was observed years ago and the first trade agreement was signed. Babacan pointed out that President Gül's visit would add momentum to Turkey-Sweden relations.

- Great interest from the business communities of both countries

Stating that Turkey and Sweden working together would increase their competition advantage in Central Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans and North Africa, Babacan reported that the meetings were clearly of great interest to the business communities of both countries. Expressing that the large number of businessmen in the delegation is a clear indication of Turkey's interest in Sweden, Babacan said, "When we look at the companies of both countries, we see many complementary properties. The advantages of Swedish companies in combination with the advantages of Turkish companies will yield very promising results. This is true not just for Sweden and Turkey, but also for third countries involved as well."

Drawing attention to the fact that Ä°stanbul has become a natural center of the business world in the region, Babacan emphasized that prominent Swedish companies have chosen Ä°stanbul as their headquarters.

Stating that they have undertaken significant efforts to improve the business environment in Turkey, Babacan reported that Turkey will make important changes in 10 years and that this has been projected by international organizations as well.

"If Sweden and Turkey combine their strengths the results will be win-win," said Babacan and emphasized that the forum would not only strengthen their economic relations but also add momentum to the cooperation between the two countries.

- Swedish Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Svard

The Swedish Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Catharina Elmsater Svard stated that Turkey is one of the world's most promising markets reported that various investment areas have been mentioned for Swedish and Turkish companies. Drawing attention to the fact that there are opportunities to further relations between the two countries, Svard expressed that efforts in regards to the issue of visas are underway.

Stating that the ideological infrastructure of Sweden in regards to environmental technologies can be utilized in Turkey, Svard expressed her pleasure for the signing of the memorandum of understanding for cooperation in this field.

- Round table meeting for prominent Swedish companies

President Gül met with the representatives of Sweden's 10 prominent companies in a round table meeting closed to the press prior to the business forum.

- Hisarcıklıoğlu and businessmen hosted at the Royal Palace

During his state visit to Sweden, President Gül was presented with the highest honor bestowed on foreign statesmen by Sweden by King Carl Gustaf XVI, "the Order of the Seraphim". President Gül also presented the King with "the Order of State".

Following the official welcoming ceremony, President Gül and his wife Hayrünnisa Gül and King Carl Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia moved on to the Royal Palace.

The delegations of both countries were introduced at the Royal Palace. Among the Turkish delegation were TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and various businessmen in addition to Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and his wife Zeynep Babacan, EU Minister and Head Negotiator Egemen Bağış and his wife Beyhan Bağış, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu and his wife Sare Davutoğlu, Turkey's Ambassador to Stockholm Zergün Korutürk, the Syrian Orthodox Church Pontiff and Patrician Locum Metropolite Philexinos Yusuf Çetin, İstanbul 2020 Olympics Candidacy Council President Hasan Arat, Kulu Municipal Director Ahmet Yıldız and artist Okay Temiz. Taking part in the Swedish delegation were Swedish Parliament Speaker Per Westerberg, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and many ministers. Royal authorities stated that such a sizable welcoming committee was a first for a foreign head of state.

- King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden and Queen Silvia host supper

President Abdullah Gül and his wife Hayrünnisa Gül attended the supper hosted by King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden and Queen Silvia in their honor. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and representatives of the business community were among the guests invited to attend.

Prior to the supper held closed to the press at the Royal Palace, Gül and his wife Hayrünnisa Gül met with King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden and Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria and her consort Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and the King's sister Princess Christina and her husband Tord Magnuson at the Prince Bertil Suite.