Press release 15/06/2009
The Fourth Turkish-Arab Economic Forum honors Hariri Group in Istanbul
Following its tradition of honoring people who distinguished themselves in different fields, the organizing committee of the Fourth Turkish-Arab Economic Forum granted the Life-Time Achievement Award to Mr. Mohammed Hariri, the Chairman and General Manager of BankMed and Saudi Oger. Mr. Hariri was honored during the opening ceremony of the Fourth Turkish-Arab Economic Forum that was held last week in Istanbul with more than 600 participants. The forum was organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group and the Turkish government represented by the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK). The Awards Ceremony was also attended by H.E. Ali Babacan, the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and H.E. Mehmet Simsek, the Turkish Minister of Finance, in addition to many Arab and Turkish leaders.
Mohammed Hariri has earned this honor in recognition of his achievements and successes in leading the group and of the paramount role played by the group in the promotion of Arab investments in Turkey and Turkish-Arab economic relations.
The Hariri Group is considered as one of the most Arab active groups investing in Turkey, especially in the field of telecommunications and banking. It is operating in the Turkish market through the following companies: Turk Telekom, Avea and T-Bank.
The Forum organizers reminded the audience that Mohammed Hariri, one of the group’s main pillars, embarked upon his mission as leader of the group after the martyrdom of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and the involvement of Sheikh Saad in the political sphere. He was able to take the lead thanks to his long experience in the group’s operations and the management of many of its activities. Mr. Hariri is well known for his competence, modesty, loyalty and vitality. These characteristics allowed him to restructure the group and expand its wide range of activities within a few years in many countries worldwide, particularly in Turkey.
It’s worth mentioning that former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri had laid the foundations for better relations between the group and Turkey personally contributing to the establishment of the Turkish-Arab Forum that should have been held in Beirut instead of Istanbul. However, the negative developments following his resignation as Prime Minister and then his assassination led the organizers to hold the forum in Turkey. The Turkish-Arab Forum is held each year attracting many Arab and Turkish leaders from the public and private sectors, including Prime Ministers and Ministers, in addition to the chairmen of major Arab and Turkish firms
