RAMALLAH (AA) - Palestine wants to further improve economic and commercial relations with Turkey, Palestinian Minister of Economy Mazen Sinokrot said on Thursday.
Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the Chairman of Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), met Sinokrot in Ramallah.
Sinokrot said at the meeting that Turkey was among the leading trade partners of Palestine, and expressed willingness to increase imports from Turkey.
Sinokrot called on Turkish companies to invest in especially the industrial zone near the Gaza Strip.
On the other hand, Hisarciklioglu recalled that the official trade volume between the two countries was around 8 million USD, while this figure climbed to 300 million USD when unofficial figures were taken into consideration.
Hisarciklioglu said that Turkey's exports to Palestine could be increased, and noted that chambers of two countries aimed to strengthen their relations.
Turkey was ready to extend assistance to the industrial zone near Gaza Strip, added Hisarciklioglu.
ANKARA FORUM ISSUES FINAL DECLARATION
On the other hand, a final declaration was issued after the second meeting of the Ankara Forum held in Jerusalem yesterday (Wednesday) to improve economic cooperation among Palestine, Israel and Turkey.
During the forum, participants decided to form a contact group which would be comprised of two representatives each from these three countries.
Also, joint working groups will be set up to revive tourism and the industrial zone near Gaza Strip.
An Ankara Forum web-site will be created, while the third meeting of the Ankara Forum will be held mid-September.
Meanwhile, the working group dealing with tourism will hold its first meeting in Turkish southern city of Antalya in July.
2005-06-09