IZMIR - The 77th Izmir International Fair will be opened on August 22nd.
Economy & Tourism Minister Erdogan Sanlidag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Palestinian National Economy Minister Muhammed Kamal Hassouneh, Commerce & Artisans Minister Mahamat Abdoulaye Mahamat of Chad, Commerce Minister Hossain Zillur Rahman of Bangladesh, Commerce Minister Mamadou Diop Decroix of Senegal, Sudanese State Minister Paul Marial Dot, Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Antonio Carricarte of Cuba as well as ministers from Lithuania, Albania, Mongolia, Iraq and Pakistan will be in attendance at the opening ceremony.
A total of 1,043 firms including 252 foreigners will take part in this year's festival and display their goods in the sectors such as alternative energy, organic foodstuff, furniture, automotive, agricultural machinery, yacht building, publishing, electronics, computer, health and tourism.
This year's honorary guest will be Cuba. A number of Cuban firms operating in health sector will take part in the fair. "Cuban Business Day" on August 25th will enable Turkish businessmen to meet with their Cuban counterparts.
Besides health-related products, Cuba will also be introduced with its famous Habanos cigars and Havana Club rums.
Cuba is one of the countries selling vaccines most. Turkey purchases vaccines, especially hepatitis-B vaccines, from Cuba. Recently, Turkey-Cuba trade volume increased to 1.2 billion USD.
Izmir International Fair is the oldest tradeshow in Turkey. The fair are held in the compound of Izmir's vast inner city park named Kulturpark.
The fair will remain open till August 31st.
(UK-AÖ)
(CUL)