NEWS

The conference entitled “TURKISH-AMERICAN-EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVES FOR A NEW ERA: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); Opportunities and Risks” was organized by ESBAŞ, Sept. 18-19 at the ESBAŞ Technology Center Conference Hall. 

ESBAŞ CEO Dr. Faruk Güler gave the opening speech of the conference. Remarks were then made by Mr. Ender Yorgancılar, the Vice President of TOBB (The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye) and Chairman of EBSO (Aegean Region Chamber of Industry), Mayor of Izmir Aziz Kocaoğlu and Governor of Izmir Mustafa Toprak.  All stressed the need to take immediate action for Türkiye’s inclusion in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations pursued between the United States of America and the European Union. 

Also speaking at the conference, Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci pointed out that Türkiye cannot be excluded from the TTIP agreement. Minister Zeybekci remarked that the parties should refrain from acting without the involvement of Türkiye and that in-depth negotiations are presently taking place to make sure of this., Minister Zeybekci reported that negotiations are currently pursued with Japan for a Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to yield its results towards the end of 2015, and that other free trade agreements have already been signed with Korea and Malaysia. 

“Türkiye is sure to be included in TTIP. Türkiye has taken firm steps to boost its hand in the ever-changing economic conditions of the world. In the last decade, Türkiye has increased its export figures to more than 157 billion dollars from 35 billion dollars. We now take pride in being the 6th largest economy of Europe and 17th biggest economy of the world in terms of domestic income. Türkiye is no longer a passive economy; Türkiye improved herself to get to where she is today in a world where consumption patterns and networks are virtually owned by others. Türkiye is well aware that she has to take an active position in the sustainable energy market,” stated Minister Nihat Zeybekci. 

The TTIP conference was hosted by ESBAŞ, under the aegis of Turkish Ministry of Economy with the support of Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and American Business Forum in Türkiye (ABFT). Nearly 200 public leaders, politicians, bureaucrats, investors and managers from the US, Netherlands, Belgium and England as well as different cities of Türkiye participated in this important conference.