JORDANIAN MINISTER OF TRADE SHARIF ALI AL ZU'BU: ''PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE THE MOTOR BEHIND THE ARABIC WORLD AND REFORMS IN TURKEY''
ISTANBUL (AA) - Jordanian Minister of Trade Sharif Ali Al Zu'bi has indicated today (Thursday) that the private sector will be the motor behind the Arabic world and reforms in Turkey.
Participating in the Turkish-Arab Economic Forum, Al Zu'bi remarked that, for most of the part, the Arabic world is economically lacking behind. ''The world is becoming a global village. We believe in reform. Social, economic and political reforms must take place. We (Arabs) are behind in political reforms. In the Arab world, economic reforms are only talked about... There is no implementation. The leaders do not have a consensus to make reforms in the Arabic world,'' said Al Zu'bi.
Minister Al Zu'bi expressed that the private sector must be given the role it deserves. ''The private sector must assume its important role. Governments should let the private sector take decisions on its own. The private sector will be the motor behind the Arabic world and reforms in Turkey. Private enterprises may play a fundamental role in the reconstruction of the region. We can let this happen,'' told Al Zu'bi.
Turkish-Lebanese Business Council's Lebanon Side Chairman Wajie Al Bizri has made a call to Turkish and Arabic businessmen and businesswomen to establish joint ventures.
''There exist opportunities for Lebanese businessmen to invest in the fields of technology and finance in Turkey. We wish for free trade agreements. We want to work within the framework of cooperation between the economic and commercial circles of the two countries,'' told Bizri.
TURKTRADE Deputy Chairman and Turkish-Iraqi Business Council Chairman Mehmet Ali Neyzi stressed that Turkey exported goods worth over 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2004.
''The governments should accept the reconstruction of Iraq as their priority. The Turkish Airlines must start trips to and from Iraq. The new Iraqi government and the U.S. administration must assign tasks to Iraq's neighbors for the reconstruction of Iraq. Iraq could be the jumping ground for the development of Turkish-Arabic economic relations,'' expressed Neyzi.
Turkish-Lebanese Business Council's Turkey Side Chairman Mehmet Habbab commented that, while the total volume of Turkish trade with the Arabic world is 20 billion U.S. dollars, mutual investments between Turkey and the Arab world is only at about 2 billion U.S. dollars.
''What is important is free trade. Free trade will motivate the business world. Arabs are slowly but surely trying to make investments in lands other than their home states. Turkey has opened its hands and is waiting for Arabic investors,'' mentioned Habbab.
Turkish-Jordanian Business Council Chairman Hamdi Al Taba said that, once Turkey becomes a member of the European Union, it would become a base from which Arabs can develop partnerships. ''The future belongs to the Turks and Arabs. We can succeed with close cooperation,'' added Taba.
(SOL-A֩
2005-05-05