Turkish deputy PM opens Intl Trade Fair in Bosnia

BELGRADE, Serbia

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus officially opened the 19th International Trade Fair in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.

Kurtulmus said that as this year’s partner of the fair, Turkey's goal is to strengthen all nations, leaders, and countries of the region.

"It is our desire to improve relations in the areas of politics, culture, and the economy. It is not our goal to strengthen relations with Bosnia alone but with all Balkan nations, all Balkan leaders, with all the countries of the region – with Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Bulgaria – as the Balkan peoples know that their fates are intertwined," he said.

Kurtulmus also expressed satisfaction that Turkey is the fair's partner country this year.

At the same opening, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said unity, peace, and stability among Croats, Bosnians, and Serbs will benefit the region’s economies.

"I came here to say that we will do our best to maintain and improve our friendly relations to push the economy forward. We are ready to talk about abolishing a number of barriers to our doing business,” said Vucic.

The International Economic Fair Mostar 2016 opens tomorrow and closes on April 16.

More than 50,000 visitors are expected to be tour 30,000 square meters of exhibition space, where more than 24 countries present their exhibitions, mainly from the Balkan region -- Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia, followed by Turkey.

There are more than 20 stands from Turkey presenting a variety of products.

There are products at the fair from the metal and construction industry, agriculture and food sector, the latest developments in the automotive industry, high-tech equipment, and banking and tourism from the service industries.