The 87th Izmir International Fair (IIF) organized between the dates September 7 and September 16, 2018 with the theme of “Technology” started with the opening ceremony and speeches at Ismet Inönü Culture Center.

Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu hosted the ceremony that has graced with the presences of the Turkish Parliamentary Speaker Binali Yıldırım, Serb Deputy Prime Minister Rasim Ljajic, Minister of Commerce Ruhsar Pekcan, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Erso, CHP Vice President Faik Öztrak, Governor of Izmir Erol Ayyıldız, Indian Ambassador in Ankara Sanjay Bhattacharyya, members of the parliament, mayors, senior bureaucrats and representatives of the trade associations and business world. Special opening ceremony shows were performed after a moment of silence, the Turkish national anthem and the national anthems of Serbia and India. The show performed by the Serb Kolo Dance and Music Group was very popular.  

In the opening speech, Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu underlined that Izmir International Fair is one of the oldest fairs all around the world and first of its kind in Turkey and added; “Although it is at the age of 87, Izmir International Fair manages to renew itself and stay young every year as well as keeping up with the times and change and I salute you all at this opening ceremony”. The Mayor Kocaoğlu noted that the fair hosted Russia, a very powerful state, last year and they highly contributed to the alliance and cooperation between the countries and he, one behalf of Izmir, “welcomed” this year’s focus country India and partner country Serbia.

“The great interest in this fair is a testimony of our rightness in this situation. This fair will make a great contribution to Izmir and our national economy and reinforce our faith in the future and increase our hope” said the Turkish Parliamentary Speaker Binali Yıldırım in his speech.

The Serb Deputy Prime Minister: “Countries unite here”
The Serb Deputy Prime Minister and Trade, Tourism and Communication Minister Rasim Ljajic noted that they are very proud to be a partner country of such a great organization and added: “The Republic of Serbia has numerous services in the fields of education and trade. We will answer all questions during the IIF. I would like to underline its importance for improvement of Turkish economy and as guidance to the countries in the region. Turkey has the second place on the list of tourists visiting Serbia. A committee from Montenegro is also at the fair. We might be smaller countries but we must be partners. Opportunities available in the global markets must be used wisely. Several countries and cultures unite. IIF is a platform where we can observe circumstances that we have not seen recently. There are several countries uniting with each other. Our world has never ever needed peace and love this much. I hope that this peaceful atmosphere of IIF will reach out to the farthest corners of the world. I hope it will set an example. Let’s improve empathy, increase love and respect”.
Sanjay Bhattacharyya, the Indian Ambassador in Ankara, highlighted the broad participation to Izmir Fair, particularly from the Asian and African countries, and added:
"The economic gravity shifts towards Asia and it has brand new emerging values. A large number of representatives from Asia and Africa attended to IIF. This will create new opportunities between the countries and create several markets.

Finally, I would like to tell you the story of my country. In the last 70 years, India decolonized itself and then became one of the fastest growing countries all around the world. As a country that starts from the scratch, India directly attracts foreign investors. We got steps in the path of development; we have a long way to go and we need partners. The key of development is in love and confidence. The world is one big family and we believe in it. If you embrace this principle of India, we will have a very pleasant world order. 75 Indian companies are at IIF. We will closely follow the development in Izmir. We were on the Moon and Mars. I hope you will benefit from this Indian experience”.  

Erol Ayyıldız, the Governor of Izmir, delivered a speech at the ceremony and noted: “IIF is one of the primary dynamics that derives socioeconomic development of Izmir and we are pleased to be organizing the 87th edition of this fair identified with the city. I hope that this organization, which will promote new technologies, will be an opportunity to leverage these unique chances”.

Joint opening of the Serbia stands
After the opening speeches, Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu presented plaques to thank to Rasim Ljajic, the Deputy Prime Minister of the fair’s partner country Serbia and Sanjay Bhattacharyya, the Ankara Ambassador of focus country India. The guests toured the 87th Izmir International Fair after the ribbon cutting ceremony. The Mayor Kocaoğlu and the guests attended to the opening ceremony of Serbia and India stands. 

Burundi from East Afrika participated to the fair for the first time this year and Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, People’s Republic of China, Bulgaria, Bosnia Herzegovina, Cameroon, Sudan, Ghana, Iraq, Gambia and Kenya exhibited their technological products on the 4th Hall. The international participation will last five days. During the fair, there will be several meetings for improving economic, business, social and cultural relationships with Serbia and India and for introducing new collaborations.