The project announced with a conference in Istanbul will match companies from the EU and Turkey with counterparts from Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine.

ANKARA/ISTANBUL – TEPAV analyzed the potential of Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine for economic and trade cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Turkey in third countries. The Business Bridges Initiative will carry out trilateral matchmaking events that will join companies from Turkey the EU member states and third countries. Turkish and European companies will engage in joint trade, technology and investment initiatives in third countries. It is planned to replicated in other countries.

“EU-Turkey Global Business Bridges Initiative: Istanbul Bridge-Building Conference” was held on Monday, 1 October 2012 at Istanbul TOBB Plaza to inaugurate the project launched in cooperation by the EU Commission, the Ministry of Economy of Turkey and TOBB. During the conference, the feasibility study conducted by TEPAV and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) based in Barcelona was presented.

The opening addresses were delivered by Tanıl Küçük, Vice Chairman of TOBB and President of Istanbul Chamber of Industry; Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert, Head of EU Delegation to Turkey; and Mustafa Sever, Deputy Minister of Economy. Following the opening session, TEPAV presented the “Research Study on the Global Business Bridges Initiative.”

Timing is important

During the presentation, TEPAV Impact Assessment Program Director Sibel Güven, TEPAV Economic Policy Analyst Esen Çağlar and IEMed Socioeconomic Development Director Javier Albarracin gave brief information about the Initiative. The research study sets forth the market potential of the pilot countries Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine for the operation of companies, SMEs in particular, from EU member states and Turkey. TEPAV’s presentation stressed that the Initiative was a timely effort and had major political and economic significance, especially in the micro level. It touched upon the advantages of trilateral cooperation which could enhance internationalization of SMEs by furthering cooperation, sophistication and network opportunities. Within this context, TEPAV underscored the need to realize the value-chain approach presented in the research study.

Sak assessed the environment in Palestine

The conference continued with country sessions during which trade environment and trilateral cooperation potentials in Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine were discussed with the participation of respective country representatives. TEPAV Director Güven Sak delivered a speech in the session on Palestine. The conference ended after the business association session.