06.11.2018 Ankara
Pacific Alliance of Business Opportunities: Turkey, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Mexico Meeting was held at TOBB.
Speaking
at the opening of the meeting, TOBB Board Member Ömer Zeydan, stated that the
Turkish private sector puts great importance on developing relations with Latin
America; that Latin America with its market wealth and money diversity is one of
the priority areas which Turkey wants to develop economic relations further.
Zeydan
emphasized that the Pacific Alliance, which facilitates trade liberalization
between Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Chile, created a significant integration
area in Latin America. “Itis a strategic, dynamic and
inclusive enterprise in Latin America with a population of 225 million and an
average of 17,266 US Dollars per capita. Half of the trade in Latin America is
carried out by the countries of the Pacific Alliance. 45% of foreign direct
investments to the region are made to the member countries of the Pacific
Alliance. The Pacific Alliance, in which we are an observer, are important
markets of Latin America and offer great opportunities. We are aware that we
need to introduce these opportunities to the Turkish business world. Of course,
geographic proximity in international trade is a great advantage. Countries
often establish trade relations with countries in their respective geographies.
However, the development of technology, increased logistics capabilities and
competitive conditions in the markets enable companies to deal with markets in
distant geographies.
Ömer
Zeydan stated that they attach great importance to developing bilateral
economic and commercial relations with the Latin America region as TOBB, which
is not yet fully explored by Turkish companies. He stated that is the reason
TOBB has partnered with and are the only official representative and strategic
partner of Ibero-American Association of Chambers of Commerce (AICO) in Turkey.
Zeydan,
stated that Turkey is a gateway to its region for Latin American countries, “These
countries can Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asian markets by adopting
Turkey as a base. However, trade figures between our countries are below what
is necessary. As of 2017, our foreign trade volume was 1.8 billion USD with
Colombia, 1.3 billion USD with Mexico, 520 million USD with Chile and 184
million USD with Peru. Between us we only have a Free Trade Agreement with Chile.
Only Colombia and Mexico have an Agreement on Mutual Promotion and Protection
of Investment. The signing of these agreements as soon as possible will benefit
the development of trade between our countries.”
During the meeting Pacific Alliance Term President Peru’s Ambassador Luis Campana also gave a presentation about the Pacific Alliance, stating that the distance between the Alliance member countries and Turkey would not present an obstacle to trade relations.
The Mexican Ambassador to Ankara Bernardo Cordova Tello, Colombia’s Ankara Embassy Charge d'Affaires Milena Gómez Kopp, Consul Rodrigo Reyes from the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara and the Trade Representatives of the related countries and Turkish companies showed great interest in the meeting.
The meeting continued with presentations by Trade Representatives on business opportunities in related countries.