As part of the growing economic ties between the Gulf states and Turkey, the Second Gulf-Turkey Business and Investment Forum and Exhibition will take place in Istanbul from December 10 to 12, 2015.

Organized by the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers, in cooperation with the Union of Turkish Chambers and the International Exhibition Group, the forum aims to forge new economic partnerships between Gulf and Turkish companies and institutions, and to explore investment opportunities on both sides. The forum’s organizers hope to increase the volume of trade between the two sides, support Gulf exports to Turkey and neighboring countries, launch innovative plans for economic diversification and development, and to open a channel for the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and skills, as well as cooperation in the fields of education and training.

Abdulrahim Hassan Naqi, Secretary-General of the Federation of GCC Chambers, noted that the forum will witness the signing of partnership and cooperation agreements within the public and private sectors and the provision of necessary investment facilities in Turkey for Gulf investors, similar to what took place at the and the first exhibition, which will help create partnerships between Gulf and Turkish companies and expand their business operations.

Turkey had previously organized an event in Istanbul in February 2012, which was attended by approximately 700 participants. It is expected that the forum will contribute to creating partnerships between Gulf and Turkish companies and expanding their business operations, especially in light of the growing Gulf-Turkish economic relations, which have witnessed rapid growth in recent years, forming a solid foundation for building economic and investment ties in various fields, as the volume of trade between the GCC countries and Turkey has doubled rapidly over the past decade, rising from approximately $2 billion in 2002 to nearly $20 billion in 2013.