The foreign delegation of the 87th Izmir International Fair attended to the press conference held at the official opening ceremony. 21 Ministry representatives from 27 countries attended to the meeting and Turkish Minister of Commerce Mrs. Pekcan, the Serb Minister of Education, Science and Technology Mr. Sarcevic, the Governor of Izmir Mr. Ayyıldız and the Metropolitan Mayor Mr. Kocaoğlu delivered speeches at this meeting.

“We value the legacy of Izmir International Fair. This fair was organized 87 years ago by the Veteran Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the founders of our Republic, and it represents their global approach and vision. Serbia’s participation to the fair as a partner company indicates the deep connection between the two countries. Our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan particularly values this relationship and specifically assigned us for construction of Serbia - Bosnia Highway. We organized the 3rd Izmir Business Days as a part of this fair in Izmir. We hope that long term cooperation between the businessmen of the Aegean Region and exhibitors shall be established. Before opening of the fair, the exhibitor countries had the chance of promoting investment oppurtunities and business chances in their countries” said the Minister of Commerce Mrs. Ruhsar Pekcan.

Erol Ayyıldız, the Governor of Izmir, thanked the guests visiting the city for the International Fair and noted that the IIF has a vital role for promotion of Izmir and establishment of new business relations. 
Aziz Kocaoğlu, the Metropolitan Mayor of Izmir, reminded that Izmir International Fair is one of the most prestigous fairs of the world and the first fair of its kind in Turkey and added that they have been working very hard to make Izmir a city of fairs and congresses.

The Serb Minister of Education, Science and Technological Developments Mladen Sarcevic mentioned that this is his first visit in Izmir and added:
“I realized the beauty of this city just in a few days. The people of Izmir are very friendly. The day I arrived in here, I understood that Turkey and Serbia have a lot in common. Both countries are hospitable. Turkey and Serbia have cooperation and business relations. Today, the key of bussiness and economic improvements is the “Free Trade Agreements”. The employment rate in our country has increased thanks to the Turkish companies coming to Serbia for this purpose. We have experienced developments in the automobile, textile and industry sectors. Furtmore, our country has Turcology Department for centuries. We see Turkey as a very strong country. We hope that our cooperation will go on.”