The European Investment Bank is organizing its regional Forum on the theme "Smart Growth for Turkey". The EIB has been active in Turkey for more than 45 years and is pleased to offer a platform for presentations and speeches as well as an arena for interactive debate featuring high-ranking politicians, policy makers, sector experts and representatives of the financial arena.The first session of the Forum will look at the importance of investments in the various infrastructure sectors in order to support its economic growth and EU integration. Special attention will be dedicated to the aspects of financing and operating the infrastructure and how this will contribute to a balanced strengthening of trade and economic relations and pave the way to EU accession.The second panel of the conference will be dedicated to research and development, innovation and sustainable growth. At the cross-road between the high-tech Western Europe and low cost Far East, the way to go for Turkey is to move up the value chain. To do this, the country needs to further strengthen education and training, improve the efficiency of markets and foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Experts, academics as well as industrialists will share their views and expertise with us.