ATC's 2012 Conference Convenes in Washington, D.C.
By Mark Meirowitz, TACCI Board Member
From June 10-13, 2012, the 31st Annual Conference on US-Turkish Relations was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C., co-sponsored by the American Turkish Council (ATC), the American Friends of Turkey (AFOT) and the Foreign Relations Economic Board (DEIK)/Turkish-American Business Council (TAIK).
The ATC Conference was attended by TACCI President Celal Secilmis, and TACCI Board Members Gulay Oguzcan, Neslihan Kaptanoglu and Mark Meirowitz.
As in past years, this conference presented some very interesting panels and presentations, which provided a window into the state of Turkish-US relations. In addition, the conference also highlighted the achievements of some of Turkey's most distinguished business leaders. While it is impossible to summarize everything that transpired, I will focus on a few highlights of the conference.
Chobani Global was awarded the Commercial Leadership Award, and the attendees were addressed by Chobani's CEO, Founder and President Hamdi Ulukaya, who recounted his fascinating life story of growing up on his family's sheep farm in Turkey, to establishing a feta cheese company in upstate New York, to building a nearly $1 billion business, implementing his vision of bringing superior dairy products to the US market.
The Distinguished Career Award was given to Husnu Ozyegin, whose remarkable personal story had a great impact on all those in attendance. Mr. Ozyegin graduated from Robert College, received his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Oregon State University (where he was Student Body President) and his MBA from Harvard. Mr. Ozyegin went on to establish his own bank, Finansbank, which expanded to more than 500 branches, and also founded Fiba Holding which includes 20 companies in real estate, renewable energy and clothing retail. He founded the Ozyegin Foundation which, among other projects, has constructed 70 secondary schools and girls dormitories in Eastern and South Eastern Turkey and a rehabilitation center in Gaziantep for addicted teenagers, funded scholarships for disadvantaged students and founded Ozyegin University which currently has 1800 students in engineering, business law, hotel management, liberal arts and architecture. Mr. Ozyegin was a keynote speaker.
A special citation was awarded to Ugur Terzioglu, the former chairman for many years of the Turkish-American Business Association (TABA-AmCham).
At the opening plenary panel on "Political Landscape", H.E. Ambassador Yasar Halit Cevik, Deputy Undersecretary, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hon. Philip H. Gordon, US Assistant Secretary of State, European and Eurasian Affairs, presented their perspectives on various issues. Ambassador Cevik described the extensive Turkish-US cooperation on a very wide range of global issues, such as those involving the crisis in Syria. Assistant Secretary Gordon also emphasized the strong US-Turkish cooperation and extensive engagement, including cooperation on dealing with the Syrian crisis.
US Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone in his keynote speech described the challenge of increasing trade between the US and Turkey, and also how important it is to bring Turks and Americans to know each other better.
Turkey's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Ambassador Namik Tan, in his keynote address, described Turkish-US relations as "robust, relevant and resilient". He indicated that Turkey and the United States are working together 24/7 on issues around the globe. He focused on the need to place emphasis on improving Turkish-US economic relations in the future. He also stated that these two great nations, Turkey and the United States, will continue to work together to meet many global challenges.
A number of the panels focused on defense and security issues, and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was a keynote speaker.
There also was an education roundtable, which reflected the increasing importance of Turkish educational institutions as well as the development of dual diploma and other programs between American and Turkish Universities. The education panel included Dr. Burak Kuntay, president of the American Studies Center at Bahcesehir University, Dr. Haluk Unal, president of the Turkish American Scientists and Scholars Association and Dr. Sharon Wiener, US representative, Koc University. The education panel was chaired by Dr. Sinan Ciddi, the executive director of the Institute of Turkish Studies and was organized by ATC staffer Ayse Sumer, and is expected to be a major part of future ATC conferences.
Special kudos go to Ambassador James H. Holmes, ATC President and CEO, and Ambassador Richard L. Armitage, ATC Chairman of the Board, for overseeing ATC and this extraordinary conference. Ambs. Holmes and Armitage were aptly described as "Turkiye'nin iki buyuk dostu" (two grand friends of Turkey) in the latest issue of the TABA/AmCham Magazine. I also note the presence at the Conference of Ambassador Alan Lukens, the president of AFOT, whose enthusiasm for Turkey is so inspiring to all who come into contact with him.
This amazing conference allowed for the interaction of Turkish and American leaders, business people and academics and provided a forum for the discussion of important issues confronting Turkey and the US in an ever-complex global political and economic environment. I think that I can speak for my fellow TACCI attendees in noting how valuable an experience the conference was. I am sure that we all look forward to next year's ATC Conference which will be held in June 2013.
TABA Meeting and Dinner
Turkish American Business Association and Turkish-American Chamber of Commerce & Industry had a meeting on June 15.
Ugur Terzioglu and a committee of business people came to the US to attend ATC Event at DC and hold several meetings with different organizations including the meeting with TACCI board members. Unfortunately due to his health issues he was not able to come to New York and join us. New Chairman of TABA Ekim Alptekin was also unable to attend due to contingencies. TABA committee which is formed by Turkish business people from different sectors attended the meeting in Erden Bilginer's presidency. Mugla Governor, Fatih Sahin was the honorary guest of the meeting.
Mr. Bilginer, Member of U.S Relations, Development of Trade & Investment Committee of TABA expressed his thanks for TACCI's efforts and hospitality and Mr. Secilmis, TACCI President thanked guests for their participation and expressed his happiness to see TABA committee in New York. TABA Committee briefly updated about their DC visit and what is their future agenda for US relations. Possible collaboration between TABA and TACCI is discussed and both sides indicate their willingness for joint work. Mr. Secilmis informed about TACCI's role as a window between US and Turkey and how TACCI can provide useful information for businesses with know-how of their members who had same experiences previously. It is decided to prepare a protocol on this by TABA and offer to TACCI to move forward with this collaboration.
Each member from TABA and TACCI introduced themselves. TABA members' questions about US economy and trade relations are answered by TACCI members' experts in their area such as law, accounting, finance, and logistics.
The meeting is followed by an exclusive dinner at Harvard Club of New York City in Manhattan on June 15, 2012 in honor of Chairman of Turkish American Business Association Ugur Terzioglu. Among the guests were Fatih Sahin, Mugla Governor, Ayten Eler, New York Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Turkey and her spouse Levent Eler, First Counselor, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Turkey to the United Nations, Commercial Attache Mr. Serhan Kara, Mr. Celal Secilmis, TACCI President, TACCI board members John Driscoll, Tahir Erimli, Oguz Alpoge, Baran Erdil, Bahadir Inozu, Ali Kocak, Ali Kurtmer, Gulay Oguzcan and TACCI member company representatives such as Barbaros Karaahmet and Michael McMahon from Herrick, LLP.
After a small reception, dinner is started at President's Room at Harvard Club of New York City. Mr. Bilginer presented an Iznik Pottery to Mr. Secilmis.
TACCI President Celal Secilmis presented an award plaque to Ugur Terzioglu, for his support and dedication to improve Turkish - American trade.
Followed by presenting City of New York cufflinks to Erden Bilginer, Member of U.S Relations, Development of Trade & Investment Committee of TABA and Fatih Sahin, Mugla Governor.
For more photos from the event please click here...
Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce
On June 20, TACCI hosted a meeting with Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce with the participation of TACCI Treasurer Ali Kurtmer, TACCI permanent member Commercial Attaché of the Consulate General of Turkey in New York, Ahmet Canli, TACCI general members; Ali Kocak and Ercan Karabeyoglu, and TACCI Director Tuba Erbil. Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce was presented in the meeting by Mahmut Yildirim , Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce member of board and its several members.
The meeting was started at 2 pm with the introduction of both parts. First chamber members presented their impression about the Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. that they attended on 17th-19th June. Then along the meeting the improving quality standard mechanisms in Turkey and the increasing market share of the Turkish firms in the American market were among the main subjects that were talked about.
Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce was given information about how TACCI takes place as a mediator in the process of entry to the US market by Turkish firms and how this partnership in the US market favors the Turkish firms in their adaptation to a different market. Ercan Karabeyoglu emphasized the importance of this partnership between Turks living in the states and Turkish firms entering to American market and the involvement of TACCI in the process as noting that markets can differentiate between locations on various issues.
At the end of the meeting everyone expressed their pleasure about this meeting and to express their pleasure Mahmut Yildirim presented Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce's gifts to the name of Commercial Attaché, Ahmet Canli and to Ali Kurtmer on behalf of TACCI President Celal Secilmis.
International Trade Finance Breakfast, Friday June 22, 2012
