CHAMBER’S NEWS

A Cooperation Agreement was signed with Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Management of Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. In order to increase trade between the two countries and facilitate members' access to new markets, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Attending the program organized at the Chamber of Commerce of Plovdiv, from Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were Chairman of the Board Ahmet Çetin, Vice Chairman of the Board Mustafa Ogün Asıl, Board Members Murat Narçın, Turgay Kaya, Ufuk Mangır, Evren Kahraman, and Bünyamin Fırat. From the Plovdiv delegation, attendees included President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Plovdiv Angel Hronev, Board Member Dobrina Prodanova, Elena Boyadzhieva from the EU Projects Department, Plamen Panchev and Katya Staykova from the Trakia Economic Zone, and Angel Papazov, Business Development Manager of the Parvomay Industrial Zone.THE CHAMBER AND REGIONAL PROMOTION WAS CONDUCTEDChairman of the Board Ahmet Çetin of Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed the general situation and level of development of the region, emphasizing the benefits that increasing bilateral relations would bring to trade. Chairman Ahmet Çetin stated, "It is important for bilateral relations between two neighboring countries to be at a good level. Facilitating new commercial agreements for both parties and opening up new markets for members are crucial. Today, we are gathered here to lay the groundwork for these commercial agreements. We aim to enhance the effectiveness of our industry, which is one of the production bases of our country, and our members. There are many activities carried out within our Chamber in this regard. With the sister chamber protocol signed with Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we will contribute to the increase of inter-regional trade. We will establish new collaborations. I believe that together, we will strengthen each other in both exhibitions and commercial agreements."Chairman Ahmet Çetin also expressed his gratitude to President Angel Hronev of Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their hospitality and presented a plaque from Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a token of appreciation. 

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"Meeting with Businesspeople in Thessaloniki"

With the Organization of Our Chamber, a Business Trip to Thessaloniki was held, and our delegation of Businesspeople met with the executives of leading companies in the Region.The program started with the introductory meeting held with Thessaloniki Consul General Serkan Gedik and Thessaloniki Commercial Attaché Ahmet Erdoğan. Our Chairman of the Board, Ahmet Çetin, provided them with information about our Chamber and our region. Following the meetings, the companies located in the region were visited. VISIT TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRYOur delegation continued their meetings at the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Greek Consul Aris Radiopoulos, Thessaloniki Consul General Serkan Gedik, our Chamber's Chairman of the Board Ahmet Çetin, Thessaloniki TCCI General Secretary Panagiotis Menexopoulos, our Chamber's Board Members, our delegation of businesspeople, and Greek businesspeople participated.""I Believe Commercial Relations Will Strengthen Even Further"Our Chairman, Ahmet Çetin, who introduced our region at the meeting, said, "Today, I believe it will be a day of great cooperation and the signing of new business agreements, a day when commercial relations between the two countries and our industrialists will further strengthen. Allow me to briefly introduce our Chamber. Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with over 7,000 members, including some of the country's largest industrial organizations, has established itself as one of our region's largest and most important institutions with its advanced service policies, completed digital transformation, accessibility, and support in education and trade. It encompasses many sectors, from advanced technology to defense industry, textiles to household appliances, cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, intermediate products to furniture. While planning today with the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, I had the belief that the first step we take would be the beginning of many productive endeavors. The initial impression I have now shows me how accurate my thoughts were. I also believe that we will successfully collaborate on European Union projects. Today, we are here with significant trade brands from various sectors in our region. Similarly, important businesspeople from various sectors in Thessaloniki are also among us. Our members' expansion into Europe and the improvement of their trade and exports are our greatest desire. For the further development of bilateral relations between the two Chambers and two countries, it will be a special delight for us if one of the starting points of this trade network is our neighbor, Thessaloniki. I believe that the B2B meetings to be held shortly will be beneficial for both sides." "There Has Been a 4% Increase in Bilateral Trade" Expressing that commercial relations are increasing day by day, the Consul General of Greece, Aris Radiopoulos, said, "We must note that bilateral trade has been on the rise in recent years. As of 2022, there has been a 4% increase in bilateral trade. I believe that today, a new business agreement will take place here, contributing to further developments in trade.""B2B Meetings Were Conducted""After the discussions, B2B meetings were held between our delegation of businesspeople and the businesspeople in the region."

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Our Chamber Brought Together African Businesspeople and Our Members

Our Chamber, continuing its initiatives to further improve our members in the field of exports, brought together our region's businesspeople with the investor delegation from Africa at the Africa Investors Forum held in Kapaklı.The program was attended by the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Akoto Afriyie Awusu, our Chairman of the Board Ahmet Çetin, our Board Members, our Council Members, Industry and Technology Provincial Director Fahrettin Akçal, Mayor of Mirrah Municipality of the Republic of Niger Mr. Rabilou Halilou, the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Turkey, the Ambassador of the Republic of Togo to Turkey, the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and our region's businesspeople."A TRADE VOLUME OF $60 BILLION IN TEN YEARS"Making the opening speech at the program, our Chairman Ahmet Çetin said, "Dear Minister, esteemed Mayors, Provincial Director of Industry and Technology, respected businesspeople, distinguished participants, Turkey has taken significant steps to increase intensive investment and trade partnerships with Africa for over 20 years. It attaches great importance to mutual protection of investments, from defense industry to energy production, from food to fertilizer production, from mining to energy transmission lines, both among official institutions and private sector representatives. So far, many agreements have been signed with many African countries under the leadership of our Presidency. In the upcoming period, our cooperation with African countries will continue to increase. In the meantime, I invite your esteemed participation to our fair to be held in September. Our common goal is for our mutual trade volume with African countries, currently at $30 billion, to reach $60 billion in the next year when the agreement comes into full effect.""WE SHOULD CREATE COUNTRY-SPECIFIC PREDICTIONS AND NEW STRATEGIES"Continuing his remarks, our Chairman Çetin said, "We should create country-specific predictions and new strategies for the possible effects of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement on Turkish companies. According to the data I have obtained, the continent has taken an important step towards increasing, encouraging, and expanding trade among its member countries, taking more protective measures at customs. We will see the results of this together. Our common goal should be to increase our country's mutual trade volume with Africa from the current $30 billion to $60 billion when the agreement comes into full effect next year.""AGREEMENTS FOR THE RECIPROCAL PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES SHOULD RAPIDLY COME INTO EFFECT"Emphasizing the need for stronger relations with Africa, our Chairman Ahmet Çetin said, "We are also working with different countries to work in collaboration with our country in the African continent to meet the demand for work from different countries. Japan, Germany, France, and Hungary are the most eager in this regard. Both the continent, our country, and those offering partnerships will have works that could be in favor of them. With Hungary and our country working together, a joint project in the field of health has already started in Ghana. It is also very important for Agreements for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (RPPPIs) to come into effect rapidly with African countries. Another area where we can develop another important partnership is with mutual agreements with Africa. It is very important that the negotiation process of agreements that are still ongoing is concluded as soon as possible and new ones are added. Turkey's sharing of know-how with Africa is also a separate field in itself, and we should focus more on this opportunity. Africa is undergoing a major commercial transformation, especially in areas such as industrialization, agriculture, construction, and textiles. At this point, we should be a friend and technical partner of Africa." he said.B2B MEETINGS HELDAfter the speeches of our Chairman Ahmet Çetin, Dr. Akoto Afriyie Awusu, the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Ghana, made a speech emphasizing the trade agreements between the two countries and their importance for investors. After the speeches, very productive B2B meetings were held between the businesspeople of the two countries.COMPANY VISITS TO BE MADEIn the coming days, the African delegation will also visit companies located in our region.

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7th Çerkezköy Industrial Fair Was Held

Our 29th President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Şentop, Tekirdağ Governor Recep Soytürk, Tekirdağ Members of Parliament Nurten Yontar, İlhami Özcan Aygun and Cem Avşar, Çerkezköy District Governor Nazmi Günlü, Çerkezköy Mayor Vahap Akay, TOBB Board Member and Tekirdağ TSO Board Chairman Cengiz Günay, our Chamber's Board Chairman Ahmet Çetin, Çerkezköy Organized Industrial Zone Board Chairman Eyüp Sözdinler, our Assembly Chairman Hacı Mehmet Erdoğan, Board Members, Chamber, Exchange and OSB Presidents of our provinces and districts, Institution Managers, NGO Representatives, Industrialists, our Members and Invited Guests attended our Opening Ceremony with great enthusiasm.Our Industrial Fair, which was held with a high level of participation, is an important platform for exhibiting innovative technologies, products, and services by bringing together leading companies in our region and country's industrial and commercial world. Many sectors such as automotive, machinery, electronics, cosmetics, textiles, services, food, pharmaceuticals, energy, and technology are represented here. This shows that the Çerkezköy Industrial Fair appeals to businesses and visitors in a wide range. The Çerkezköy Industrial Fair brings you together to support economic growth, nationalization of intermediate products, companies in the region to get to know each other and establish a strong supply chain, and create new business agreements. Many of our companies have signed new business agreements during the time spent at our fair. Being instrumental in this is a source of pride and happiness for us. Our fair, which contributes to the development of companies with new business agreements, also contributes to the development of the region and the increase in employment.Referring to the activities of our Chamber, our Chairman Ahmet Çetin said, "Since the first day we took office, we have always set goals that can be achieved for the development of our region, especially for our members. We said that the tradesman, industrialist, and merchant will win together. As the Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we have increased the number of trainings that will contribute to our members' personal and business lives. We hosted foreign business people in our Chamber and enabled them to communicate with our companies in the region. We laid the foundations of our education foundation. One of our goals here is to bring a 4-year technical university that is worthy of this great production base. We have included many innovations in our Chamber within the scope of digital transformation. We have created a system where all our members can obtain the documents they need in the digital environment from Saray to Veliköy. We have enabled our members and tradesmen to get K-type authorization certificates and digital licenses from our Chamber, relieving them of a great burden. After Namık Kemal University, we also signed a cooperation protocol with Marmara University. We are confident that we will sign successful projects with both of our universities for the development of our region. Success is not the final destination but an ongoing journey. We are working and will continue to work for the development of our region, the increase in our members' earnings, and a sustainable and more livable city."Stating that the border lines drawn for Çerkezköy are now too narrow for itself, our Chairman Ahmet Çetin said, "Our region, which is a production base, is an important part of the economic growth in our country and Çerkezköy, which is the preferred destination of foreign business people and the center of attraction of the country, must reach the level to respond to the demands with new investments. The most effective and clear solution to this is for Çerkezköy to become a province. Tekirdağ ranks 6th in terms of contribution to gross national product. Our members of the Çerkezköy Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Çerkezköy, Kapaklı, and Saray constitute 53 not only in Tekirdağ but also in the country. The rise that will be achieved with the district's becoming a province will add value upon value to our country's economy and industry. Our region, which hosts dozens of leading companies from many different sectors, whose brand value goes beyond the borders of our country and is talked about in the international arena, is also among us today."Our Chairman Ahmet Çetin, who expressed his pride in our companies that are members of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, which is among the first 1000 companies, said, "Another source of pride for us here today is our member companies that continue their investments, provide development and employment, and most importantly, add value to our country's economy, which are among Turkey's largest exporters. We are proud of all our companies that are among Turkey's largest exporters and thank them." After Chairman Ahmet Çetin's speech, Çerkezköy Mayor Vahap Akay, Çerkezköy OSB Board Chairman Eyüp Sözdinler, TOBB Board Member and Tekirdağ TSO Chairman Cengiz Günay, our 29th President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Şentop, and Tekirdağ Governor Recep Soytürk made their speeches in turn. After the opening speeches, our Chairman Ahmet Çetin presented the Kanuni Cam Sword gift to our 29th President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Şentop. Then, our members who are among the first 1000 companies of the Turkish Exporters Assembly were awarded by our Protocol. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, our visitors visited the booths of our participating companies.                

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