Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül stated that the industry of Turkey is in the process of development, saying, “A new era for Turkey is beginning.” Held simultaneously with the Business Forum, the CEO Round Table Meeting took place between the representatives of the two countries business worlds, assessing cooperation opportunities.

Accompanying President Gül on his Netherlands state visit was a private sector committee comprised of 110 people under the leadership of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEİK) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.

- Businessmen briefed on Netherlands economy

The businessmen committee was briefed on the Netherlands economy with the attendance of the Economy Ministry Undersecretary Engin Ertekin. It was emphasized that the Netherlands is the gateway to Europe.

Stating that 9 major sectors have been selected by the Netherlands government, Ertekin listed them as, logistics, chemicals, water management, agriculture, horticulture, energy, advanced technology systems, creative industry and life sciences.

- CEO Round Table Meeting

TOBB and DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and VNO President Bernard Wientjes moderated the CEO Round Table Meeting which assessed the cooperation opportunities between the two countries. During the meeting the representatives of both business worlds discussed the issues of energy, infrastructure, health services, banking, agriculture and GMO products, strategic partnerships and visas.

- Turkey-Netherlands Business Forum

Simultaenously with the CEO Round Table Meeting was held with approximately 500 people from the Turkish and Dutch business worlds. The bilateral talks were held while workshops on business opportunities in Turkey and Netherlands, investment relations, agriculture and food, transportation and logistics as well as clean energy.

- Hisarcıklıoğlu: Turks living in Netherlands provide employment to 55,000 people

Speaking at the Business Forum, TOBB and DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the economic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands, which are celebrating the 4th centennial of the establishment diplomatic relations, go much further back. He said that the 5 billion Euro bilateral trade volume between the two countries is promising in regards to their future cooperation.

Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the Dutch companies who invested over 38 million Dollars in Turkey for the trust they’ve shown and stated that the Turkish presence in the Netherlands is increasing as each year passes. He emphasized that the Turkish population living in the Netherlands, approximately 400,000, are providing employment to 55,000 people and running 20,000 establishments.

Hisarcıklıoğlu touched on the importance of areas bilateral cooperation with Netherlands, a logistics and investment heaven, and stated that the most important factor in the stability of the Turkish economy while the European economies struggled with the crisis is its enterprising nature.

Stating that in order to increase trade, obstructions to it must be cleared, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the visa issue is especially impacting trade in a negative way and stated that as long as visa procedures stand, trade will not reach its desired level.

- Invitation to Dutch investors from President Gül

President Gül emphasized that the bilateral relations between the two countries are built on a solid foundation and stated that he is pleased with the point trade and economic relations have reached today. Gül drew attention especially to the advanced banking relations.

Stating that Turkey has accomplished the work allotted to it in its EU membership process, President Gül said that Turkey wants to continue the accession process and that economic growth and development is strong support for this.

- Turkey could surpass Netherlands

The Netherlands Deputy Prime Minister and the Economy, Agriculture and Innovation Minister Maxime Verhagen stated Netherlands is the least affected country in Europe by the crisis and that they are the world’s 5th largest exporter.

Stating that Turkey is the world’s 17th largest economy while the Netherlands is the 16th, Verhagen said that this order may change in the coming years and that Turkey could surpass Netherlands.

Saying that they will be visiting Turkey with a private sector committee in May, Verhagen stated that they aim to remove obstructions to trade.
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