Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

“By preparing joint tourism packages, we may attract tourists to Greece and Turkey from the continent of America or the Far East, who have never been in our region” said Hisarcıklıoğlu, “I know that the ministers of both countries are working with enthusiasm  to prepare joint tourism packages.      Of course, our private sector must assume the responsibility. With all my heart, I believe that Turkish and Greek private sectors will catch this trend”, he added.

The Turkish-Greek Business Forum organized in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and in cooperation with Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) and Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TİM) was held at Çırağan Palace, Istanbul with the participation of the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Greek Prime Minister H.E. Antonis Samaras, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of TOBB, Dr. Athanase Lavidas, President of SEV, presidents of business councils, several Ministers and businessmen. 

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of TOBB, made a speech in which he emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries.  Stating that they followed the hard economic circumstances faced by Greece as the Turkish business world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said they were ready to lend support to Greece in its struggle against economic crisis. 

- “Let Aegean Sea unite us, and let us write the epic of peace again”

Stating that bilateral trade volume approached 5 billion dollars, Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of TOBB and DEİK, said they targeted 10 billion dollars.  Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “Our mutual investment relations also revived.  The investments of Greece in Turkey reached 6 billion dollars.  Turkish companies started investing in Greece. 

With the visa regime simplified by the Greek authorities, mutual visits between the peoples of both countries reached record-breaking levels.  The distance covered by the economic relations between the countries, particularly in the last 10 years, is though promising, it is far from reflecting the potential of two neighboring countries.   Sharing the same geography and a common boundary, we should create stronger economic relations, making use of opportunities to improve our economic and commercial relations, and manage risks well.

Let the Aegean Sea, which as narrated by the great historian Herodotus, has the most beautiful geography and the best climate of the world, be a sea that unites us, and let us write the epic of peace together again." 

-“Let us improve transportation capabilities for more trade”

Pointing out that the Turkish and the Greek business worlds should go beyond wishes of goodwill and expectations through these forums in order to make use of the economic potential borne by the two countries, Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined the fact that the opportunities posed by the new age should be converted into efficient investments and partnerships with a win-win approach.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said they, as the world of business, wanted bureaucratic obstacles before the movement of people and goods to be removed for a stronger economic integration in the region. “Much more mutual trade of goods and services, much more movement of people will create joint values for all parties. 

Let us diversify the transportation capabilities between us for more trade and more economic cooperation.  Let us use the sea route to connect both sides of the Aegean Sea, and find permanent solutions to the transportation quota issue which has become a chronic problem”, he said. 

- Experiences of 2001 crisis exchanged

Hisarcıklıoğlu explained that he paid a visit to Athens last September upon the invitation of Constantine Michalos, Chairman of the Association of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Greece and exchanged their experiences of the 2011 economic crisis. “Also, we had meetings with Kostis Hatzidakis, Greek Minister of Economy, and Olga Kefalogianni Minister of Tourism,  Thereafter, I received him in our Union, and exchanged views about the economic and commercial relations of our countries.

After these talks, we concluded that there were more efforts to be spent a soon as possible between the two countries”, he said.

President of TOBB stated that during the meeting with Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Minister of Tourism, she conveyed him the message that she would inform the European Commission about the success of the pilot visa application with Turkey, and demand the special application to be continued. “I know and appreciate her continued efforts on this matter.     I am sure the representatives of the tourism sectors of both countries will see the fruits of these efforts in near future", he said.

-Hisarcıklıoğlu wanted support from Greece for  EXPO 2020

Hisarcıklıoğlu also added,  “On the other hand, as you already know, unfortunately the Greek islands that are closer to Turkey than they are to Greece are not able to supply their daily foods and drinks from Turkey although it is less expensive.   

The only attempt in this matter is to establish accredited laboratories at such points of Turkey that are close to Greek islands.

As the Union of the Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, we are ready to do whatever we can to establish accredited laboratories as soon as possible.   As the Turkish business world, we are closely interested in the privatization programs in telecom, transportation infrastructure and tourism industries announced by Greece.

I believe that the joint ventures to be established between Turkish and Greek companies for this privatization will bring our relations to the level they deserve.   The simplifying role of our political leaders with regard to these partnerships will always clear the way for us.  Simplification of the bureaucratic processes necessary for the investment permits, work permits and residence permits will encourage Turkish companies to make more investments in Greece.   Also, our İzmir province is a candidate for EXPO 2020.  We expect Greece to support Izmir in the selection to be made.”

- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

In his speech, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the trade volume between Turkey and Greece increased by more than 100 percent in the last decade. “We said we should raise the trade volume to 10 billion dollars as soon as possible.  Let us show our determination by the end of 2015, and reach the 10 billion-dollar level", he said.
In his speech at the Turkish-Greek Business Forum organized in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and in cooperation with the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) and Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TİM), Prime Minister Erdoğan reminded that 25 documents were signed in various areas during the 2nd meeting of Turkey - Greece High Level Cooperation Council.  

Noting the fact that 22 documents were signed before in Athens, Erdoğan said, “Thus, 47 documents have been the record of the steps we have taken and we will take in various fields between Turkey and Greece.”

Erdoğan emphasized that the relationship between Turkey and Greece was an exemplary one, and said:  “We increased the trade volume between the two countries by more than 100 percent in the last decade.  Recently, despite the global crisis and the adverse effects of the global crisis on international trade, we continue to raise bilateral trade volume.

In 2011, the trade volume between Turkey and Greece was about 4 billion dollars.  In 2012, this figure reached 5 billion dollars despite the climbing crisis.  Of course, we both agreed that these were not sufficient, did not represent the figures that we expected to exist between Turkey and Greece.   We said, we should raise this trade volume to 10 billion dollars as soon as possible.

Now, the people who will raise this level to 10 billion dollars are here.  Both businessmen from Greece and businessmen from our own country are here.  We will open this way, and you will take the steps.  I believe that these steps will be taken by increasing investments and the trade volume.  Let us show our determination by the end of 2015, and reach the 10 billion-dollar level".

-Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras

The Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras who also made a speech stated that he believed Greece was gradually recovering stability, and Turkey was in a development orbit. “Therefore, it is time to cooperate for bilateral entrepreneurship, and the conjuncture is suitable“, he said.

In his speech at the Turkish-Greek Business Forum organized in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and in cooperation with the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) and Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TİM), Samaras pointed out that the high population of businessmen who attended the forum was the indication of the interest by the entrepreneurs from the Turkish and Greek sides, and noted that it was everybody’s common objective to support such cooperation between the two countries. 

Stating that entrepreneurship between neighboring countries was very important for the economic development of both countries, Samaras said: “I believe that Greece is gradually recovering stability.  Turkey is in an orbit of development.  Therefore, it is time to cooperate for bilateral entrepreneurship, and the conjuncture is suitable. We should cooperate in order to create new employment areas in both countries.  At this time, the business area in Greece is constantly gaining stability, and recovering in strong and fast rhythms.  We are determinedly proceeding on our way.   We are writing reports about Greek economy in general.  This effort and willingness is recognized by everybody internationally.”

Samaras pointed out that the products sent from Turkey to Greece were ranked in 10th place last year. “In addition, it has become the 6th country to which Greece exports its products.   In this framework, Greece’s construction materials, high technology products, and communication technologies are prominent.   In addition, we can mention machinery, chemical, plastic and food sectors, and the packaged high foods.”

“The companies of both countries may penetrate into 3rd countries”

Stating that a serious increase was seen in Greek investments in Turkey, Prime Minister Samaras said:  “Bilateral agreements, investment agreements, and avoiding-double taxation agreements provide a sound foundation for cooperation in the area of entrepreneurship.  The fact that we are neighbors, that provides us with the opportunity of less expensive transportation.  In addition, it enables personal familiarities between entrepreneurs.  Turkey’s proximity to Caucasus states and Central Asia together provide  opportunities to create a trade and investment synergy.   In the light of these data, there are quite promising opportunities.  Greek companies have specialized technical knowledge on this matter.  The transmission of this technical knowledge will open quite wide visions.   Possibly, the companies of the two countries may penetrate into 3rd countries”.

- Dr. Athanase Lavidas, President of Greek Entrepreneurs Federation (SEV)

In his speech, Dr. Athanase Lavidas, President of Greek Entrepreneurs Federation (SEV) stated that bilateral relations would improve with the creation of an investment climate subject to mutual trust and peace.   Lavidas pointed out that the cooperation of both sides had positive impact on political relations and the relationship between the two countries covered an important distance in the last 20 years.

Drawing the attention to the fact that Greece was suffering from the worst crisis ever seen, Lavidas said that the entrepreneurs in Greece were trying to open the way for development and growth.   Lavidas pointed out that Turkey, which they saw as a strategic partner, had a quite attractive market.

-Güreli, TİM Vice-chairman

Ali Nedim Güreli, TİM Vice-chairman wished that the friendly atmosphere between the countries has positive impact on the relationship between the countries. 

Noting that Greece was undergoing a very hard economic process and reminding the crisis Turkey had undergone in the past, he said, “We, too, faced the economic crisis in the past.  But, the crisis did not fear us.  We regulated our economy.

We re-structured the banking system.  We put the public debts in order.  We encouraged export, and sought for different markets.”

Stating that, as a consequence, Turkey reached a very good position today, he said, "I believe that our Greek friends will overcome the crisis as we have done.   I am sure that our Greek friends will turn this crisis into an opportunity.  We will always stand by their side as their Turkish friends.”

-Isaias, Manager of Greek Investment Agency

Stefano Isaias, Senior Executive of Greek Investment Agency stated that Greece was now in a very interesting position, and said, “It offers very good opportunities to potential investors.   Choosing the right time has vital importance for investment, and the time for Greece has come.”

In his keynote address at the opening of the Turkish-Greek Economic Forum, Stefano Isaias, Senior Executive of Greek Investment Agency said the Turkish -Greek cooperation would offer investment opportunities useful for both parties. 

Saying that the global investment environment underwent a dramatic change in the last decade, Stefano Isaias said crises and new addresses had emerged.  Pointing out the importance of the positioning of their country in the new environment, Stefano Isaias said:
“Areas such as Africa, Vietnam, are being opened, and where do we stand on this spectrum? Greece’s country risk is now declining, and is in an interesting position.  It offers quite good opportunities for potential investors.  Choosing the right time has vital importance for investment. The time for Greece has come. As the two countries, we know each other very well.  The verbosity about the crisis conceals the improvements in the last three years.” 

Stating that he wanted to address those improvements, Stefano Isaias, talked about the events experienced by the countries in the crisis environment in the global scale. 
Pointing at the economic and financial program offered by the Greek government with the support of the European Union, European Central Bank and IMF, Stefano Isaias reminded that the coalition government emerged in an atmosphere in which everybody acted quite maturely.

Stefano Isaias, who pointed that the parliamentary majority started to put the economy and government in order after the elections in Greece, said, ''How painful may it be, there is now a situation in Greece which goes hand in hand with opportunities. Greece is changing and changing quickly.  According to the growth report of OECD, Greece is the best country that has positively changed through structural reforms among all OECD countries.”

Also talking about quantitative improvements in Greece, Stefano Isaias said, "The current account deficit is shrinking quickly, and cost competition is declining. Compared with other Eurozone countries, competitiveness is improving better.  We have recovered the competitiveness we had lost.  Apart from this financial consolidation, it was very important for Greece to return back to the markets.  This is an important step for our progress.”

Telling that investment environments in Greece were undergoing a rapid development and transformation, Isaias said there would be better investment opportunities for the businessmen.  Quoting the words of the Greek Prime Minister, “We are switching from bureaucracy to the red carpet",  Stefano Isaias talked about the reforms made and underway in Greece. 

- Özlem Nudralı, General Directorate, Foreign Investments and Incentives, Ministry of Economy
 
Özlem Nudralı, made a speech in which she gave information about the export developments and investment systems in Turkey.  

Saying that researches included Turkey in growing markets, Nudralı said the growth performance of Turkey substantiated the results of the researches. 

Talking about the economic developments in the last decade and the near past in Turkey, Nudralı said, “The population of Turkey approximated 75 million, its purchasing power is increasing and it is a very attractive destination.  As Turkey offers a great geographical advantage, it becomes more attractive for investments.

Mentioning of the details about Turkey's geographical destination and easily accessible countries, Nudralı pointed out that Turkey aimed to be among the biggest economies of the world in 2023.

Underscoring the fact that Turkey took important steps to improve investment environment, Nudralı said, “The trade between Turkey and Greece increases constantly, but the full potential has not been achieved yet.  When we look at the Greek-based investment in Turkey, we see that they have reached 6.6 billion dollars in 10 years.    538 companies with Greek capital made business in Turkey.  We hope that we will increase volume further if investment opportunities are also used by the Greek Companies.”