Turkish firms gear up to promote goods

ANKARA－Turkey is gearing up for the first China International Import Expo where its firms will be actively seeking new cooperation and trade opportunities in a global market increasingly affected by crippling US protectionism.

The world's first import-themed national-level expo, the CIIE will be held in Shanghai in November. It has attracted exhibitors from all G20 members, over 50 countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, which refers to an ultra-modern land-and-sea project proposed by China in 2013.

The BRI aims to boost trade links and infrastructure connectivity among Asia, Europe and Africa－a throwback to the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Turkey, a NATO and G20 member and a geographical bridge between Europe and Asia, is part of this multibillion-dollar project which spans over 65 countries.

Turkey has been enjoying Chinese overseas investments in the recent decade. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has recently provided a $3.6 billion loan package to the energy and transportation sector, showing the determination of both countries to deepen cooperation.

Some 40 Turkish firms will be participating in the expo, said the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters Association that coordinates Turkey's participation in the Shanghai event.

"We are very excited about this exposition. Around 40 Turkish firms will be attending," said Seyma Inam, an expert from the Istanbul Mineral and Metals Exporters' Association, adding that Turkish Airlines also announced its willingness to participate in the event.

"We are preparing for the promotion phase, a pavilion has been granted to Turkish firms in the expo hall and we are making sure that all attending firms will be able to promote their goods there," she said, adding that Turkish exhibitors hope to sign new export contracts with Chinese counterparts at the expo.

Turkey's Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan is expected to attend the fair and she is overseeing the preparatory work to better promote her country's goods and products for the Chinese consumers.

"The Chinese market is very big and important and our firms are very interested in this market that they want to know better," said Inam.

Experts believe the CIIE reflects China's goodwill and determination to cooperate with many countries with whom its trade balance is largely in its favor.

"Turkey has an unbalanced trade volume with China, which stands annually at about $28 billion, and $24 billion of this accounts for Turkish imports. Thus, this fair is a way of addressing candidly this fact and expressing willingness to cooperate between companies," said Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies.

"This fair is an important platform to promote goods and products from different countries of the planet and to enhance a synergy as a means to connect the real economy," said Colakoglu.

On a larger perspective, Turkey and China are linked with strategic targets to enhance their bilateral relations.

Colakoglu said in the past seven months, there had been a financial outflow of some $5 billion toward Turkey, including ICBC's loan package, adding that "numbers show that China is a very important partner (of Turkey)."

Turkey will promote not only industrial and chemical products, mechanical automobile parts and kitchen utensils, but also regional culinary specialties such as hazelnuts.

There will also be a firm exhibiting in the Turkish pavilion rose water and rose essential oil, used in the cosmetics industry, mainly in the making of perfumeries.

"We need to evaluate what kind of business we can do at the fair. If we can introduce rose oil to traditional Chinese chiropractic and massage, it's a big market," said Ahmet Sincer, factory manager of Rosa Damascane, a family-owned company located in the central Anatolia city of Isparta.

"China is a huge market and its demand is enormous. We need a reliable and experienced local partner, jointly paving the way to enter the Chinese market," Sincer said.