29 janvier 2008

The second meeting of the Istanbul Forum held in Istanbul was attended by Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh President FPCCI and Presidents of National Chambers of Turkey and Afghanistan. The Istanbul Forum was formed by the National Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan for the promotion of Economic Cooperation amongst the three countries.

The Presidents of the National Chambers discussed specific projects and business areas for trilateral cooperation amongst Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan. A Joint Declaration of the Second Meeting of Istanbul Forum was issued after meeting which reads: The meeting primarily consisted of a discussion on possible alternative projects that could be undertaken by the three parties on the ground. The participants focused on the need for job creation in the region in order to contribute to stability and three parties relevant strengths for concrete trilateral projects;

The discussion first focused on the principles that led to the formation of the Istanbul Forum. The delegates listed their respective country’s main problems then shared the identified problems. Finally, implement able projects were raised that could enhance trilateral economic cooperation; The projects discussed were under eleven headings including trade facilitating, border management/modernization, transport logistics, business development centres with micro finance focus, organized industrial zones, education, health, agro business, SME development, construction and capacity building;

Istanbul Forum decided to focus on three priority areas: business development, organized industrial zone with agro business focus and capacity building programs for the chambers, pre feasibility reports for these projects will be completed by April 2008 after consultation with the stakeholders; Having specified the projects and business areas for trilateral cooperation, the Forum will then design mechanisms to implement the projects for cooperation. The Istanbul Forum decided to have its third meeting in Islamabad by early April 2008.