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Dear TACCI Members and Supporters,
As TACCI we hope you had a great 4th of July!
July was a quite month with holidays but accommodated important events for TACCI. President Celal Secilmis attended PNB-All World Fast Growth Business Meet-Up on July 12, 2012 at The Aspen Institute, DC and talked about the challenges faced by Turkish and American business in the process of establishing partnerships and possible solutions. Kocaeli Chamber of Industry President Mr. Ayhan Zeytinoglu visited New York with business people from Auto Parts Industry in their region. We had an event with them on Auto Parts Industry. You can read more about these events and our upcoming events in our newsletter.
We had an interview with Tunc Hepguler, Executive Vice President of SARAR on SARAR brand and their strategies to expand in U.S. and more. Also, he shares his insight for companies who look for entering to U.S. market.
Please take a look at upcoming events for the next weeks. Join us for a picnic at Central Park to say goodbye to summer on August 26th.
Thank you for your continuous support and hoping to see you at our upcoming events!
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Interview with Tunc Hepguler
We had a special interview with Tunc Hepguler, the Executive Vice President of acclaimed Turkish menswear company SARAR, to talk about how SARAR managed to establish itself as a well-known fashion brand in the U.S. market and how it continues its success. Hepguler also told us about SARAR's goals and objectives, as well as what awaits the fashion retail business and SARAR in the future. SARAR recently opened a new store at Sunset Plaza in West Hollywood and will open a new store at Wall Street in August.
 Sarar started off as a small workshop in Eskisehir and over a short period of time has evolved into an international manufacturer of fashionable menswear. What do you think are the factors behind the brand's success?
I believe the fact that Cemalettin Sarar, the chairman of the company, is a visionary and that has always had high goals, played a significant role in making Sarar a global success. Besides Mr. SARAR and his brothers, the Sarar staff who has been working diligently also helped us achieve these goals.. Other factors underlying Sarar's success as a brand include:
- Sarar Group's emphasis on team work and innovation
- Our Turkish tailors' dedication and their quality workmanship
- A modern and experienced Design & Development team that closely follows European trends
- 68 years of experience since its foundation in 1944.
To read more please click here...
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Our July Events
PNB-All World Fast Growth Business Meet-Up, July 12, 2012
By Neslihan Kaptanoglu, TACCI Board Member
Turkey's 25 fastest growth companies, selected by the "Turkey 25" program, paid a visit to the United States between July 9-13, 2012 in order to strengthen their global economic connections. The visit was organized by TOBB, TEPAV, AllWorld Network, and the Aspen Institute. Turkey 25 is a project carried out last year by TEPAV in cooperation with TOBB and the AllWorld Network and aims to identify the 25 fastest growing companies of Turkey. Eligible companies were ranked on the basis of gross sales revenue growth between 2008 and 2010. Winners were announced during the 2nd Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship held in Istanbul, on December 3, 2011 and hosted by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Awards were given by Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek, Minister of Economy Zafer Çağlayan, Minister of Development Cevdet Yılmaz, and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. The project aims to bring worldwide attention to Turkish entrepreneurs and expand their business opportunities.
The Turkey 25 delegation, accompanied by Turkey 25 Coordinator Ozan Acar; TEPAV Economic Policy Research Associate Hasan Çağlayan Dündar and TOBB/DEIK U.S. Representative Neslihan Kaptanoglu consisted of: Turgay Çelik of Ada Dryers, Gizem Özyıldırım of AHAD Consumer Durables, Nesrin and Yasin Otuzoğlu of Karaoğlu Landscape, Furkan Bayazıt of Kayas Dry Ice and Packaging, Basar Akpınar of PIWorks TR Information Services, Yavuz Eroğlu of Sem Plastics, Elçin Karatay of Tabim Computer, and Haldun Aksoy of Timsan Industrial Solutions.
Credit: Steve Johnson / The Aspen Institute
The Turkey 25 representatives' U.S. trip started with the AllWorld Summit at Harvard University in Boston. During this event, the Turkish participants had the chance to meet and network with executives of fast-growth companies from the Middle East and North Africa, Pakistan, and India. After their Boston program, the delegation visited Washington D.C.
On the first day of the program in D.C., the Aspen Institute organized a whole-day event in which Turkish companies were introduced to U.S. counterparts from similar industry sectors to share best practices, network and ultimately explore potential business partnerships. The event was an opportunity for the companies to get to know each other and exchange information. While Turkish companies were briefed on how to benefit from opportunities in US market, US companies were informed about the business and investment conditions in Turkey.
Aspen Institute's Middle East Programs Director Tony G. Verstandig welcomed the guests. The first session was on the criteria of global American companies in choosing foreign partners for their international operations. The session was moderated by President and Founding Partner of the consulting firm Infuze International, Hatice Murphy. Keynote speakers were Syetoslav Gatchev of Delphos International, Kostas Mallios of Intellectual Ventures and Robin Pringle of Liberty Media. The panelists emphasized the critical factors when choosing where to invest.
The next panel was on financing opportunities provided by the U.S. government for foreign companies that do business with American companies. The panel was moderated by Senior International Trade Expert at U.S. Department of Commerce, Ryan Barnes. The speakers were Leila Afas of U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Alison Gatchev of OPIC and Briant Sant'Angelo of U.S. Exim Bank.
Credit: Steve Johnson / The Aspen Institute
The third session was on the economic and political pillars of Turkish-American relations and was moderated by TOBB and DEIK U.S. Representative Neslihan Kaptanoglu. In this session, the speakers were TACCI President Celal Secilmis, UPS's Director of Multinational Sales in Americas-Eurasia Onur Uranli and German Marshall Fund's Turkey Project Director Joshua Walker. Panelists talked about the challenges faced by Turkish and American business in the process of establishing partnerships and possible solutions.
Credit: Steve Johnson / The Aspen Institute
The last session at the Aspen Institute was a discussion on the experiences of Turkey 25. TEPAV Economic Policy Analyst and Turkey 25 Coordinator Ozan Acar moderated the panel. Speakers were Basar Akpinar, CEO of PI Works and Yavuz Eroglu, CEO of SEM Plastics. During the panel, reasons for fast growth of companies in question and their future strategies, as well as the opportunities they were seeking in the U.S. market were discussed.
After the meeting, Turkey 25 delegates were hosted by Namik Tan, Turkey's Ambassador to Washington. In their last day in Washington D.C., Turkey 25 delegates met with Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, Jose Fernandez and the Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State Loraine Hariton. Later on, the group attended a lunch on Capitol Hill organized by USAFMC (U.S. Former Members of Congress) Study Group on Turkey and later a meeting hosted by CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies) Turkey Project.
Auto Parts Industry Event, July 23, 2012
On July 23rd, TACCI held a networking luncheon at AXA Equitable Quarters followed by presentations on how to establish and run a successful auto parts business in the U.S., and a Q&A session. The event was hosted by Burak Alpaslan, Managing partner of Vital Planning Group. Event's keynote speaker Gokhan Kuru, from Disa Automative, focused on auto parts manufacturers and dealers and how to find buyers and suppliers in this market. Kuru also addressed current challenges of the automotive industry in the U.S., and potential future trends.
The speakers at the seminar included Serhan Kara, our Turkish Consulate General, New York, Commercial Attaché; as well as Martha Soffer, from U.S. Small Business Administration; Pinar Guvenc, from New York Grant Company; and Frank Pagano, CEO of the inTelligentparts.com. The speakers gave presentations on various topics including business advice, developing business plans, potential economic incentives and grants for commercial, and manufacturing or industrial businesses within the U.S.
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Our Upcoming Events
- Iftar Dinner on August 2nd at Turkuaz Restaurant at 8 pm
When: August 2nd, Thursday, 8 pm (Iftar Time: 8:19)
Where: Turkuaz Restaurant
2637 Broadway (corner of 100th St.)
New York, NY 10025
- Goodbye to Summer Picnic on August 26th at Central Part at 1pm
When: August 26th, Sunday, 1-6 pm
Where: Central Park - Heckscher Picnic Area
There is limited space availability for both of the events. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to info@turkishuschamber.org
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We would like to welcome our newest member!
Standard Bank
New TACCI Member Disa Automotive Ltd. Sti. is a privately owned Turkish Limited Corporation that is a technology focused prime manufacturer of high quality suspension and steering parts for the global aftermarket.
New TACCI Member Standard Bank is one of South Africa's largest financial services groups that currently operates in 18 African countries as well as in other selected emerging markets.
Calik Holding
Representative of the Limak-Calık Consortium Ismail Ergunes expressed that the tender process had been quite transparent and just and that the investments to be made in the electricity network was more important than the cost of electric power.
Adding that investments were required to offer better quality services, Ergunes also said that they had been distributing energy to more than 5 million consumers in Turkey and that they were aware of their responsibilities in this task. For more please click here...
Herrick, LLP
Barbaros Karaahmet has become the first Turkish-American president of The Rotary Club of New York since the club's founding 103 years ago. Established in 1909, The Rotary Club of New York provides civic-minded business and professional leaders an organized way to make a contribution to New York City and to needy areas of the world. The club meets weekly and plans club, community, and international service activities. For more please click here...
Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges ofTurkey (TOBB)
World Bank Turkey Director Martin Raiser visited TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu. Hisarciklioglu briefed Raiser on TOBB structure, activities, customs gate modernizations, Silk Road project, rose train and constitution platform projects. For more please click here...
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines scored a resounding success at the 2012 Skytrax World Airline Awards, with air travellers voting the airline as the Best Airline in Europe, the second year running. For more please click here...
The U.S. Chamber
The U.S. Chamber through its Turkey Working Group is playing a central role in keeping the U.S. business community focused on the growing opportunities that exist in the Turkish market. As this report illustrates, establishing joint ventures between our companies is one important way to build business relationships and is a method to expand trade. The report also recommends that the 1985 U.S.-Turkey Bilateral Investment Treaty should be brought up-todate to create a more secure and predictable climate for our firms. An additional recommendation is for enhanced cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey in the G20 context, including our common interests in creating economic growth, fighting protectionism, and ensuring efficient financial markets. We believe that these recommendations can be a very good start to a new phase of the U.S.'s commercial relationship with Turkey. For more please click here...
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Our Premium Members 2012 - 2013
Premium Members: Companies
Akdo, Inc.
GramAltin USA, Inc.
Herrick, LLP
Sarar USA, Inc.
Sark USA
Seckin Management, Inc
Sedesco, Inc
T.C. Ziraat Bank, New York
Tulair International, Corp
Turkish Airlines
Turkon America, Inc
Vakifbank, New York
Premium Members: Organizations
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| Upcoming Events
Iftar Dinner, August 2, 2012
Goodbye to Summer Picnic, August 26, 2012
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