JEDDAH, 20 May 2004 — Saudi Arabia and Turkey have signed a protocol setting out a broad agenda of cooperation in various fields like trade, business, investments, culture, and sports, according to Turkish Minister of Finance Kemal Unakitan.
The agreement was signed by Unakitan and Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Hashim Yamani.
“We came here for the 8th meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Joint Commission meeting and already this morning we signed a very good agreement that will enhance relations, and benefit both the countries,” Unakitan, told Arab News at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), where he addressed chamber officials and leading businessmen.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Talal Alshaer, chairman of the steering committee to study issues and problems faced by different sectors or economic activities.
Addressing the concluding session of the joint commission, Yamani emphasized the need for expanding trade exchanges between the two countries as well as establishing joint ventures. “The meeting has welcomed the formation of a Saudi-Turkish Business Council,” he added.
Unakitan said a three-day solo exhibition of Turkish machinery and equipment will be held at the Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Center from June 6 to 9 providing further opportunities to businessmen. He said the last joint commission meeting was held in Istanbul four years ago.
“We just signed the protocol and then we will go on to negotiate an agreement on ending double taxation, and further encourage investments in both countries. After that there will be increase in relationships,” he added. Unakitan, who is leading a 20-strong delegation of leading Turkish companies, said the visit and the meeting at JCCI would contribute to boosting Saudi-Turkish ties.
The minister urged Saudi businessmen and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the privatization program going on in Turkey. “We are selling many factories — steel, aluminum, sugar and energy,” he said, and added, “There also are many opportunities in the transport sector, road transportation, sea transportation, and meat or meat production, besides in such fields as education, health. There can be joint ventures. We can establish factories in Saudi Arabia as well. We have opened the field for businessmen and now it is up to them.”
The meeting saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding to organize Turkish meat import to the Kingdom. The agreement was signed by Dr. Hamad Al-Aufi, director general of laboratories and quality control at the Commerce and Industry Ministry and Toufiq Manju, director general of international agreements at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
