Egypt plans to gradually end visa requirements for Turks

poste by memphistours
Turkey and Egypt may begin a gradual process of mutually ending visa requirements. For this, Egypt will first implement a “white visa” policy for Turkish businessmen and academics, facilitating their entrance to the country and allowing them to stay in the country for up to three months. The agreement will soon expand to cover others as well in the long run.

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said he spoke with Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid over the possibility of abolishing visa requirements between the two countries.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also spoke about Nazif’s plans to ease the strict procedures for granting visas for businessmen and intellectuals. The strategic partnership between Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan to improve their economies through increased levels of cooperation is far more important, explained Hisarcıklıoğlu.

The TOBB president also voiced the problems of Turkish businessmen who want to invest in Egypt. “We are here not only to earn money but also to share our experiences. It is straightforward that problems can arise in any country. For instance, Şişe Cam, a leading glass manufacturer in Turkey, wants to invest approximately $500 million in Egypt. They only want to have a natural gas access in their plant,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu.

Separately, Ahmed El Wakeel, chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, announced on Monday that Ro-Ro voyages between Turkey and Egypt would be launched on March 1, 2011. The announcement came during a business visit by a delegation of Turkish businessmen under the chairmanship of Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, president of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), to Egypt. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a Ro-Ro line between Mersin and Alexandria at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo.

The idea, first put forward by the company COMMIT Co., was realized after the necessary permission was obtained from the relevant authorities Zühal Mansfield, head of the Turkish-Egyptian Business Council, also stated. “Any transportation and logistics firm will be able to apply for a license to run trips between Egypt and Turkey in the near future,” she said.

Speaking to Today’s Zaman, COMMIT Co. CEO Alper Celen sounded more optimistic and explained that the prospect of launching trips even before March seemed very likely. El Wakeel underlined that two companies from Egypt and Turkey had already reached an agreement on beginning the trips 10 days earlier. He also pointed out that Ro-Ro transport is much more advantageous when compared to road transportation and that such a Ro-Ro line will boost trade ties between the two countries.

In other news, in a meeting organized by a Turkish delegation with their Egyptian counterparts on Saturday in the historic city of Alexandria both sides agreed to establish the Turkish-Egyptian Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was also attended by Rachid Mohamed Rachid, the Egyptian minister of industry and foreign trade.

Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined that trade volume between the two countries has so far reached $3.4 billion and is expected to reach $10 billion in 10 years, adding that all available resources should be used to increase trade activities. He also suggested the expansion of an already established free trade zone between Turkish, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon to include Egypt as well. El Wakeel responded by saying that there is a free trade agreement between Turkey and Egypt and a duty exemption deal between Egypt-Syria-Lebanon is still in effect and expressed his hope that Egypt would be included in the list of countries Turkey has a common free trade zone with.

Turkish ambassador to Egypt Hüseyin Avni Botsalı also revealed that a visa waiver agreement is about to be concluded between the two countries for businessmen, artists and professionals. Visitors will be able to stay for up to three months without a visa.

Memphis Tours Egypt Since 1955
Reference : todayszaman.com
Posted by : Shaimaa Ahmed

http://egyptcairoholidays.com/2010/10/27/egypt-plans-to-gradually-end-visa-requirements-for-turks/

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Have you ever sought movie reviews from friends about a newly released film, and been amazed by the dramatically opposing views they express? I marvel at how two close friends can see the same film and yet one exclaims, it’s the best movie I have ever seen, while another asserts, it was a colossal waste of time. Were they actually viewing the same film? Am I schizophrenic for having friends who hold such drastically differing views?

They say, One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Reviews I read recently about a museum in Switzerland remind me of this old saying. La Musee de l’Art Brut, located in the scenic Lausanne, is one of my favorite museums in the world. I discovered it while touring Europe the summer after graduate school. It showcases a collection of art work created primarily by the institutionalized: schizophrenics, manic-depressives, and other psychiatric patients.

I was mesmerized by the collection and recall spending hours there and even buying the souvenir book.

Take a look at these current reviews on a popular travel critic forum:

“Absorbing, thought-provoking, stimulating, emotional...”I discovered Art Brut (Outsider Art in English) because of this museum. My first visit lasted over 3 hours - even though it's a relatively small museum - and I only left because it was closing time. I have since been several times, each time discovering something new and spending more time to contemplate specific works of art.

The lives of outsider artists are as important as the works themselves, and these are described briefly in short texts on the walls of the museum giving you insight into how the works were made and the circumstances. In my subjective opinion, the most impressive work is that of the life-size horse made of various pieces of wood (I don't remember the artist). It's stunningly (and surprisingly) beautiful- there is much movement and life in it that you can almost hear the galloping. Incredible.

An extraordinary place and one which will stay with you long after your visit.

“the worst place ever”It sucked. I've never been so bored in my life. Just a lot of naked people. I see enough of those at home.

“A clinicians day out!”Although difficult to initially find via the bus, (you need to get off at Beaulieu) this gallery is one of the most interesting that I have had the pleasure to visit. A simple facade hides both the depth and size of the collection, and once inside, the collection is one of abject fascination for both public and clinical interest.

Beginning with a collection of artworks by learning disabled artists, and continuing on two further floors with artworks from a number of other artists with mental health issues, as well as psychics and prisoners, the collection is extensive. Clear and concise histories of each artist are placed alongside each set of works (in both French and English) which allow some insight into their lives.
Altogether, a truly fascinating collection that I feel honored to have seen. However, be aware that this is a very large collection over three floors, and any visit will be a long one!

Finally, for those reading this who have mobility issues, there are three sets of stairs (and no lift that I could find), but the staff are friendly, helpful and approachable.

“Fascinating!”A fascinating but also quite disturbing collection of 'outsider art'.

I wasn't aware of what I was going to see when I visited this museum but was blown away by the kind of artworks that were on display.

As the previous reviewer said, some of the work was quite accomplished but other pieces, very child-like. My conclusion was that there is a very fine line between genius and madness in art.

A memorable visit and would recommend as a must-see if visiting Lausanne.

“Mind-blowing!”Le Collection de L'Art Brut is possibly the most interesting art gallery I've ever seen, and a definite highlight of my visit to Lausanne. It's a collection of 'outsider art' - visual artwork created mostly by schizophrenics, manic-depressives, and other psychiatric patients. Some of the art is brilliant, while some of it is less technically proficient (even childish in its execution) but genuinely disturbing. The staff are helpful (though it helps if you speak French), and the experience unforgettable. After my first visit to the Collection, I found myself drawn back to it two days later, and would love a chance to see it again.

Where do you think YOU would fall on the spectrum of--admirers versus detesters--of these works?

If you are interested, here is the Museum address: Collection de l'Art Brut-- 11 av des Bergieres, Lausanne 1004, Switzerland Tel: 41 21 315 25 70 Fax: 41 21 315 25 71