Turkish - American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TACCI) joined its peers in Turkiye and co-organized a very important series of events with the initial leadership of Turkish - American Businessmen Association (TABA/AmCham). More than 40 business leaders and politicians traveled from different parts of USA to attend this trip, including TACCI President Mr. Celal Secilmis, between September 19 - 26.

This event was organized by Turkish American Businessmen Association (TABA/AmCham), Turkish - American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TACCI), Honorary Consul of Republic of Turkey in Georgia Ms. Mona  Diamond, Istanbul 2010 European Cultural Capital Agency, Izmir Development Agency (IZKA), Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) and Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KSO).

DETAILS FROM THE ACCE VISIT

ISTANBUL: September 19-20-21

Istanbul was the first part of the trip. The participants were hosted by the Istanbul Cultural Capital of Europe 2010 Agency. The first evening, the guests were welcomed by a dinner at the SuAda Island in Bosphorus. The next day, Garanti Securities hosted the group at a seminar about the Turkish Economy. The same evening, a dinner was organized where Ministers Mr. Zafer Caglayan and Mr. Hayati Yazici met the group. On the next day, TIM (Turkish Exporters' Association) organized a business luncheon where Minister Egemen Bagis was the guest. On the evening, ITO (Istanbul Chamber of Commerce) organized a dinner where many special guests including the Mayor of Istanbul Mr. Huseyin Avni Mutlu, Mayor of Beyoglu Mr. Ahmet Misbah Demircan, The Consul General of the United States in Istanbul, Mr. Scott Frederic Kilner and several board members of ITO. TACCI President Mr. Celal Secilmis made several speeches at the events and many people praised TACCI's and other organizations' efforts to increase the trade relations between two countries. This trip was also important for the fact that the delegation was mainly formed of chamber presidents instead of politicians. Many Turkish counterparts claimed that it was very impressive to see more than 18 chambers visiting Turkiye to observe the investment opportunities.

KOCAELI: September 22

Kocaeli, the most industrialized city of Turkiye is also the eastern neighbor of Istanbul and it was the second city on the route of the delegation.  The first stop was Anadolu Health Center (an official partner of John Hopkins Hospital) where the guests were given a seminar about the rapidly-increasing Health Tourism in Turkiye by Mr. Metin Cakici (Surgeon General) and they were informed about the future opportunities. After the tour and the lunch at the hospital, the delegation was taken to the Ford Otosan Factory which has been producing in  Turkiye since 1965. The group was given a tour and a brief introduction about the company's history. After that, the group was taken to production facilities of TAYSAD members (Association of Automotive Parts & Components Manifacturers). The next stop was Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KSO). The delegation was hosted by the President of KSO and TACCI Board Member, Mr. Ayhan Zeytinoglu. Then, a match-making event took place where the local businessmen met their American peers. The guests spent the night at a hotel in Kartepe Skiing Center.

  BURSA: September 23

Bursa, also one of the most industrialized and biggest cities of Turkiye was the third city to be visited. The delegation checked in at the legendary Celik Palas Hotel and they had a welcome luncheon there with the mayor and the municipal president. The group was hosted by the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and they also paid a visit to some historical sites and they attended a special Mehteran (Ottoman Army Band) Show. The group also visited the mayor at his office and they were given a briefing about the history of the city. Finally a dinner was organized where the group met the leading businessmen of Bursa.

IZMIR: September 24-25

Izmir Development Agency (IZKA) and Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) were the hosts for the group at the fourth and the final step of the one week visit. The delegation was taken to ESBAS (Aegean Free Zone) where they attended a match-making event. Then they visited the Space Camp. Next stop was the headquarters of IZTO. The group also had the chance to visit nearby historical and touristical sites like Cesme and Ephesus.

 NEW YORK STATE OPENS ITS FIRST OFFICE IN TURKIYE

Mr. Celal Secilmis attended the opening of New York State's trade office, which is the first official representative office of a US state, established in Turkiye. The office will be the direct gateway for the business people who are interested in investing in New York state. The offices are located at the World Trade Center of Istanbul and Ms. Ally Gunduz will be directing the operation in Istanbul. A special reception at the Esma Sultan Mansion of Bosphorus was held where TACCI Board Members Mr. John Driscoll, Mr. Nazim Kalkanci, Ms. Gulay Oguzcan and  Mr. Celal Secilmis were also present.  

 On October 20, Wednesday at 11:30 am, Mr. Zafer Caglayan, Minister for Trade of Republic of Turkey, met several members of Turkish - American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TACCI) board of directors at the Turkish Center in New York. TACCI President Mr. Celal Secilmis updated Mr. Caglayan about the latest events and services of TACCI, and then the other board members introduced themselves and their businesses. Mr. Caglayan expressed that he was very proud to see an organization like TACCI emerge and grow like this and he claimed that he was one of the few people who initally urged the chamber to be established. Mr. Caglayan also added that TACCI is and has always been the first address for the Turkish companies that are looking to do business between Turkey and the US, and he is hoping to see TACCI member companies achieving more goals in the near future, regarding the increase of the bilateral trade between Turkey and the US. Caglayan and the board members discussed the Turkey - U.S. Economic and Commercial Strategic Cooperation Framework and exchanged ideas on how they can contribute to it, for which the first ministerial meeting took place in Washington on October 19, Tuesday. Zafer Caglayan listened to the requests and problems of the board members and took notes. Caglayan and his delegation will proceed to Toronto on Thursday and they will participate in the Turkish - Canadian Business Council Forum. 

TACCI joined the representatives of New York's Turkish Community in a visit to Mr. Scott M. Stringer, Borough President of New York City's very heart, Manhattan. Mr. Stringer and his team partners welcomed Mr. Turan Ayaz (Senior Program Manager at Port Authority, NY & NJ), Mr. Ali Cinar (Vice President of Assembly of Turkish American Asssociations), Mr. Safak Dogan (Director of TACCI), Mr. Jon Kaplan (Vice President of Federation of Turkish American Associations) and Mr. Ridvan Sezer (Founder of TurkishNY.com and TACCI Board Member). Mr. Stringer expressed that he was very happy to have close relations with the Turkish Community in NY and he added that he is always ready to work together in the future. Mr. Cinar suggested Manhattan to become sister cities with the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, which is also the heart of Istanbul, the biggest city of Turkiye. Mr. Stringer ordered his colleagues for the legal framework to be prepared as soon as possible. TACCI Director Mr. Dogan also informed Mr. Stringer about the event and the services of the chamber, and passed the sincere greetings of the TACCI Board to Mr. Stringer.