Ahead of trade transporters' meeting, Hisarciklioglu touts Turkey

The 31st World Congress of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) is set to be held in Istanbul on May 15-16, with the theme of "Reviving the Silk Road." Stressing the boom in international trade over the last two decades, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu said, "Rising international trade volume, especially between East and West, increases the need for improved land transportation, and Turkey has very big advantages in this area." Hisarciklioglu also stressed Turkey's special geographic position along East-West trade routes and added that reviving the ancient trade road would benefit international trade relations immensely. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and many high-level figures will also attend the congress, as well as nearly 2,000 guests from 70 countries.