A delegation from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the Economic Policy Research Institute (TEPAV-EPRI), made an official visit to Washington DC on September 18-19, 2005

The main purpose of the visit was to publicize Ankara Forum project which will allow Israeli, Palestinian and Turkish businessmen to operate in the Erez Industrial Zone in Gaza Strip.

During this meeting, TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu met World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Eric Edelman, Special Envoy of the Quartet for Gaza Disengagement James Wolfensohn and the Director of International Monetary Fund's European Department, Michael Deppler.

Meanwhile, Hisarciklioglu attended a meeting at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and gave information about the project.