The New Nation - Internet Edition

Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) has recently organised a grand business summit in Istanbul with a view to bringing together businessmen from Asia-Pacific countries.

TUSKON has been helping boost partnerships and business relationships between Turkey and the region.

A 28-member Bangladeshi business delegation led by FBCCI President Annisul Huq and TBCCI President-Fikret Cicek went to Istanbul to take part in this grand business convention. TBCCI made all the arrangements for the Bangladeshi businessmen .

TUSKON's one-week Turkey-Asia Pacific Foreign Trade Bridge II at Istanbul's WOW Convention Center where 465 businessmen from 20 countries of the Asia Pacific region found the opportunity to discuss joint business projects. The target of the forum was to have participants set up new business ties worth $550 million, TUSKON organizers say.

Annisul Huq, President of FBCCI who was representing Bangladesh in this grand business summit called on Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

The Turkish President welcomed his guests very warmly and stated that Turkey has a special affection for the countries of Asian subcontinent and Pacific region.

In reply, Annisul Huq said: "I have seen many Presidents till far and generally they are used to be very old. I was also expecting a President with walking stick. But here I see a very young, smart and dynamic President who impressed me a lot."

After these words President Gul and all the members of the visiting group burst into a laughter. During these friendly conversations President Gul said that Turkey, currently the 17th biggest economy of the world and 6th biggest economy of Europe, is willing to improve economic relations with Asian countries.

Bangladeshi delegation visited some cities in Turkey to see factories and met with the local business chambers. Organiser of Bangladesh chapter of this summit, Fikret Cicek, President of Turkey Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TBCCI), said that the summit sets a very important step for the improvement of the business relations between Bangladesh and Turkey. He also said he was very glad to get the chance to show the Bangladesh's potential to Turkish business people.