IZMIR - The Izmir International Fair (IEF) organized by the Izmir Fair Services Culture and Art Works Trade Corp (Izfas) opened its doors for the 72nd time with a ceremony held at the Lausanne Square on Tuesday.
IEF which will remain open between August 26 and September 10 this year brings new technology onto the agenda under the general concept of ''space technologies and robots'' and draws great attention from participating countries and companies.
A total of 1,112 companies including 363 foreign firms from 64 countries are attending this year's fair. Stands at the fair spread over 70,200 square meter area.
International part of the fair will end on September 3.
GOVERNOR GOKSU: ''IZMIR HAS STARTED TO TAKE IMPORTANT STEPS ALSO IN TECHNOLOGY''
Izmir Governor Yusuf Ziya Goksu said that the Izmir International Fair (IEF) had made great contributions to development of Izmir, adding, ''Izmir has started to take important steps also in technology.''
Noting that IEF was one of the most important fairs in Turkey and as well as in the Middle East, Goksu said, ''IEF which has opened its doors for the 72nd time became famous and introduced Izmir to the world. We feel the honor of hosting such a fair.''
Meanwhile, Izmir Mayor Ahmet Piristina said in his part that Izmir should be the city of fairs and congresses, and they had been carrying out important works to this end.
Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Mohammad Said Saleh of Egypt which is the honorary guest county of this year's fair said that they were very pleased to be the honorary guest country of the IEF, and he invited Turkish investors to Egypt.
PARLIAMENT SPEAKER ARINC: ''THERE IS NOBODY WHO HAS NOT HEARD ABOUT IEF''
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Tuesday that the Izmir International Fair (IEF) which had continuously opened its doors for the last 72 years had Izmir and Turkey get a good reputation in the world.
Speaking at the fair opening ceremony, Arinc said that more than sixty countries and one thousand companies were attending this year's fair.
Stressing that the fair would continue its successes in the future, Arinc said, ''there is nobody who has not heard about the fair. As the Parliament Speaker, I am very pleased to open such a fair. I hope it would end successfully.''
Meanwhile, Industry and Trade Minister Ali Coskun said in his part, ''the seventy-second Izmir International Fair will constitute a very important ground for development of international affairs and increase in opportunities of cooperation in every field.'' Stressing that the IEF was one of the most important fairs in Turkey and in the region, Coskun said that the fair contributed to development of economic, cultura and political relations.
(MS) 26.08.2003