As Executive Board Members of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC), Mr. Israfil Kuralay and Mr. Mehmet Develioglu were in Washington D.C in order to attend a common meeting with the Chambers of Commerce in the US in this week, we organized a reception for the honor of these respectable guests at our headquarters. At this reception, we had guests from members of the Turkic American community who were interested in ICOC’s work.
At the reception, delicious Turkish food and deserts were served to our guests. Then, President of Turkic American Alliance, Dr. Faruk Taban warmly welcomed guests and introduced Mr. Israfil Kuralay to audience and said thanks to him and Mr. Develioglu alongside the other guests.
Mr. Kurulay began to his words by saying his thanks to Dr. Taban for the TAA’s work in the US and for his inviting. He explained to the audience the reason of their visit to Washington D.C and determined that they would find an opportunity to introduce ICOC’s and their views to the Chambers of Commerce in the US at their meeting with these Chambers. Mr. Kurulay primarily discussed about the work of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Turkey and its directions in terms of recent social, economic and political developments.
First of all, Mr. Kurulay said Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is one of the 5 largest Chambers in the world. And then, he determined ICOC has 350 thousands active members and it represents trade of Istanbul and Turkey in large with its 90 committees. As Mr. Kurulay mentioned ICOC has a council with 257 members and an Executive Board with 11 members.
Furthermore, the Executive Board Member of ICOC continued to list the works of the Chamber. Mr. Kurulay said ICOC organizes expositions almost everywhere of the world in order to introduce Turkish businessmen and to increase the export; for example we organize expos in many of those countries from Qatar to Brazil or Russia to France. Beyond these work, we open the doors or handle the obstacles in front of the businessmen in terms of law and administrative changes by aiming better coordination and easy work of business world with our lobbying activities.
In addition, we organize international panels as we are here today in order to introduce Turkey’s economy, culture and social activities as well as attending to various international panels. Mr. Kubilay expressed that they are being happy when they are conducting those activities by emphasizing we are living in a great country like Turkey.
Subsequently, Mr. Kubilay said we are experiencing a great change; especially Turkey has grown with a speed that everyone looks with envy in the previous 10 years economically, socially and politically. By reiterating that we are being watched by everyone, he expressed that I don’t know maybe due to its distance how Turkey reflects to you in the US, but we feel closely Turkey’s wind in the places where we go including Central Asia, Middle East Europe and Africa. Even though Turkey has not been affected negatively by the Global economic crisis yet, it may also be influenced by a possible crisis in Europe due to its large export to European countries he answered to a question about how Turkey will be influenced by the current economic problems in Europe and the US.
Afterward, another Executive Board Member of ICOC, Mr. Mehmet Develioglu was invited to the podium by Mr. Kubilay. Mr. Develioglu mainly talked about a change to view toward Turkey in international arena and future directions of the country. He emphasized that even himself can see the change between his previous visit to Washington D.C. 10 years ago and now.
Mr. Develioglu said now we are being welcomed different; there are social organizations, civic community organizations who ask what we could do with Turkey? And what we can do in Turkey? In return, he underlined we are asking to ourselves what can we do with them? But it is not an opportunity reverse it is a responsibility on our shoulders.
He also determined that ICOC is one of the 5largest Chambers of Commerce in the world; and thereby he said, they are acting as a diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. He emphasized again they are being asked how Turkey achieve even in this ongoing financial problems at every place they go.
Mr. Develioglu said Turkey has a plan to increase its export from current $123 billion to $500 billion in 2023 and in order to achieve that everyone should work harder. Thereby, he stated I see tomorrow’s candidates in here for the business world. He underlined that Turkey has a better trade in its 3 hours flying distance via airplane, but in order to reach 2023 goal that circle has to be enhanced by exploring any possible business opportunities.
Mr. Kubilay and Mr. Develioglu gave a plate with a written name of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (1882) as a gift to Dr. Taban for Turkic American Alliance.
