“We are the strong voice of American business in Turkey”
2015 4TH QUARTER NEWSLETTER
- Welcome New Members – GSK has significant global presence with commercial operations in more than 150 countries, a network of 84 manufacturing sites in 36 countries and large R&D centers in the UK, US, Belgium and China, focusing on three core businesses: Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and GSK Consumer Healthcare. GSK Consumer Healthcare Ltd is an associate of GlaxoSmithKline plc. of U.K, one of world’s largest consumer healthcare companies, a science-led global healthcare company with a mission: to do more, feel better, live longer. The business develops and markets a range of products in the areas of oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and skincare and owns the world’s best loved healthcare products: Sensodyne, Parodontax, Corega, Physiogel, Panadol etc. Its goal is to build a global, growing business - a Fast Moving Consumer Healthcare (FMCH) company - dedicated to everyday healthcare with all of the scientific expertise and quality guarantees that demands, working at the speed and with the genuine consumer understanding the modern world expects. In 2014, the Consumer Healthcare business accounted for £4.3 billion, or 19%, of GSK’s total turnover. GSK Consumer Healthcare Turkey based in Istanbul has been established in 2008, Sensodyne has become the largest brand in Turkey across GSK Consumer Healthcare and Pharma. Among the personal care categories in Turkey, GSK Consumer Healthcare is at 10th position* and Sensodyne is at 9th position* in personal care brands. (Source: Nielsen FMCG Tracker Q4 2014) Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. The company’s 170,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and seating components and systems for automobiles. Johnson Controls’ commitment to sustainability dates back to the company roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through the company’s growth strategies and by increasing market share Johnson Controls is committed to delivering value to shareholders and making its customers successful. MSD Animal Health is the one of the fastest growing animal health companies with about USD 3,4 billion in sales a global leading and has offices in more than 50 countries and marketing activities in more than 150 countries. The company has been operating dedicated animal health manufacturing and research & development sites around the world in Ruminant, poultry, aquatic, swine and pets segments. MSD Animal Health has broad product range; vaccine, anti-parasitics, anti-infectives, reproduction management pharmaceutical specialties &innovative animal health programs such as pet recovery and it has several “First to Market” vaccines and pharmaceuticals for serious animal diseases. The company’s vision is to be leading force in delivering new and valuable animal health products & solutions, improving the health of animals. MSD Animal Health’s efforts will ensure sustainable quality food supplies, protect public health and help people and pets enjoy their lives together. Radiometer is a leading provider of technologically advanced acute care solutions that simplify and automate all phases of acute care testing. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark; Radiometer was a pioneer in blood gas testing, introducing the world’s first commercially available blood gas analyzer in 1954. With more than 2.750 employees worldwide and direct representation in 32 countries, Radiometer helps healthcare professionals get fast and accurate information on the most critical parameters in acute care testing; including oxygen, lactate, procalcitonin, D-dimer and troponin. This is the foundation for making immediate and well-informed decisions on the treatment of critically ill patients in clinical settings such as emergency care, intensive care, anesthesiology, cardiac surgery, neonatal care and wound care. Radiometer develops, manufactures and markets solutions for blood sampling, blood gas analysis, transcutaneous monitoring, immunoassay testing and the related IT management systems. In 2013, Radiometer acquired HemoCue AB. HemoCue, headquartered in Ängelholm, Sweden, is a leading global company in the field of point-of-care testing. In 1982, the company introduced the first system making accurate hemoglobin testing possible in near-patient settings. HemoCue manufactures handheld instruments for Hemoglobin, Plasma/Low Hemoglobin, HbA1c, Urine Albumin, Glucose, WBC & WBC DIFF and unique disposable microcuvettes. Radiometer Turkey has been operating in Turkey since 2010 delivering a very broad portfolio of acute care solutions and point-of-care tests for the benefit of Turkish patients. Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and, together with its customers, it is driven to make healthcare better. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. Stryker is active in over 100 countries around the world, and has been operating in Turkey since 2011 with variety of products and services.
– Member News – 3M 3M Turkey named Mert Buyukyazgan as Managing Director of 3M Turkey Mert Buyukyazgan has been appointed to the position of Managing Director of 3M Turkey and recommended to the Board of Directors 3M Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Turkey), effective December 1, 2015. Prior to this position, since 2010, Mert was Central Eastern Europe and Middle East Africa (CEEMEA) Director of Industrial Business Group of 3M. Mert joined 3M Turkey in 1994 and during his career he had covered different positions including Cerkezkoy Manufacturing Manager, Turkey Six Sigma Belt Belt, Country Business Leader of Industrial Business Group and 3M Hungary Managing Director. Mert will continue to be part of the 3M CEEMEA Operating Committee.
Baker & McKenzie Baker & McKenzie sponsors GC Powerlist recognizing Turkey's top in-house legal talent On November 24, 2015, Baker & McKenzie sponsored the Legal 500 GC Powerlist reception at Les Ottomans Hotel. The event was held to recognize in-house lawyers of leading corporations chosen for their outstanding work supporting their companies and the wider legal profession in Turkey. The Turkey GC Powerlist recognizes 61 leading individuals and is available online. The extensive research process was nomination led, with law firms and in-house counsel suggesting peers that have demonstrated innovation, quality and excellence within their companies. Read More Baker & McKenzie sponsors pro bono breakfast in honor of International Volunteer Day
Bilgi University Bilgi Ranks among the Top Universities Istanbul Bilgi University, the first and only representative of the Laureate International Universities Network in Turkey, has come one step closer towards its objective of becoming a global university with international quality standards. Istanbul Bilgi University has ranked among the top 140 universities in the “Top Universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia” 2015 list of the reputable higher education quality surveyor QS. According to the rankings, BİLGİ is among the top 4 foundation universities in Turkey. Also BİLGİ was granted the “Four Stars Competency in Excellence” by the European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM). The award was presented to Istanbul Bilgi University Rector Prof. Mehmet Durman by the Turkish Quality Foundation (KalDer) in the 24 th Quality Congress held in Istanbul Congress Center on November 18, 2015.
Becton Dickinson BD Turkey Healthcare Worker Trainings Recognizing the ethical and economic reasons for improving patient and healthcare worker safety, BD Turkey’s healthcare worker trainings are designed to meet both the requirements of related international standards and the specific needs of healthcare workers depending on their field of expertise, conveying best practices in those fields. As BD Turkey is keen to share its experience and expertise; in 2015 BD Turkey clinical team has reached 18.760 healthcare workers with trainings in specific areas such as injection techniques, good practices in pre-analytical phase, phlebotomy, pediatric phlebotomy, blood gas, blood culture, accurate diagnosis in sepsis, preventing needle-stick injuries and blood exposure, intravenous injection and intravenous treatment and infection prevention. Reaching out to approximately 50.000 healthcare workers overall through safety related trainings in the last three years, BD Turkey aims adding value to the Turkish healthcare system by helping provide patients, patient relatives, healthcare workers and everyone working in the healthcare system a safe and high quality healthcare environment.
Cargill Cargill opens new animal nutrition technology application center in Izmir, Turkey Cargill has established a new Technology Application Center (TAC) in Yakapınar, Izmir, Turkey to help dairy and poultry customers in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa leverage and apply the best possible feed technologies to grow their businesses. The new TAC further strengthens Cargill’s presence in the region following the acquisition of the majority stake in Ekol Gida*, a leading company operating in premix and feed additives markets in Turkey. The new Izmir TAC was created through a partnership with an existing commercial dairy farm owned by the Egesay Animal Agriculture Food Industry and Trade Company, Ltd. The $2 million project will first concentrate on customized solutions relating to ruminants and a poultry center is scheduled to be constructed and operational by the end of 2017.
Chadbourne Legal Handbook for Doing Business in Turkey Chadbourne has prepared a “Legal Handbook for Doing Business in Turkey” which is a practical guide to various legal aspects of doing business in Turkey. Intended both for investors entering the market and those seeking to expand their presence, this publication
provides an outline of the principal legal tenets of Turkey's corporate and investment environment. The guide also provides highlights of certain specific sectors such as energy and infrastructure. Chadbourne’s Turkish practice comprises a team of dynamic lawyers with an extensive track record and progressive vision of the future of Turkish business. The firm plays key roles in complicated and landmark in-bound and out-bound transactions in Turkey. It believes innovation is a necessity in emerging economies and supports its clients to grow their businesses in the global landscape through transactions in the Turkish market. Chadbourne works with its affiliate Bilgiç Attorney Partnership on Turkish law matters. Free electronic copies can be ordered here. Chadbourne's recent Client Alert - Update: Russia Imposes Economic Sanctions on Turkey Chadbourne's recent Client Alert - Turkey Extends Renewable Incentives For Local Production
Dow Turkey Dow Turkey Hosts Packaging and Plastics Customer and Media Event in Istanbul The Dow Packaging and Plastics team took a couple of days off in Istanbul to join forces with the sales team in Turkey and meet with some of Dow’s top tier plastics customers and journalists at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Istanbul. The meetings kicked off with some high level presentations, namely looking at Sadara and its impact on Turkey and the region, which was followed by a presentation on Dow’s Pack Studios concept, a high level Flexible &Specialty Plastics and Industrial &Consumer Packaging offerings and PacXpertTM, as well as Dow’s contributions in the sustainability field. Sami Mainich, the newly appointed sales director for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey region, became personally acquainted with the team and the customers. Ihsan Necipoglu, General Manager of Dow Turkey and Central Asia, also welcomed the customers and gave an introduction on Dow in Turkey and Central Asia, as well as some of its history. The following day, the same team hosted Turkish journalists. Read More
Harvard Business School Harvard Business School takes its classroom environment online One of America’s most prestigious educational institutions, the Harvard Business School, has taken its classroom environment online via a new educational method, making it accessible from anywhere in the world. The Harvard Business School has taken its case study method online. The Dean of the Harvard Business School, Nitin Nohria, emphasizes that the HBX educational system developed by the school will further advance its mission of “educating leaders who make a difference in the world.” Under the HBX umbrella, in addition to HBX Live, two separate programs are available: HBX CORe and Courses. HBS Istanbul Research Center with the collaboration of Spencer Stuart, HR directors of leading companies were assembled in Istanbul to attend an event introducing the program, entitled “HBX- Building the Future.” in November 2015. HBS Istanbul Research Center strengthened its footprint in the region with its new Dubai office opened up in November 2015.
Honeywell Honeywell to Supply Engines for the Turkish Light Utility Helicopter Turkish Aerospace Industries and the Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company, a 50-50 partnership between Honeywell International Inc. and Rolls-Royce, have signed an agreement to supply CTS800 turboshaft engines for the Turkish Light Utility Helicopter, a program of the Undersecretary for Defense Industry since September 2013. The agreement, which confirms a memorandum of understanding signed at this year’s Paris Air Show, consists of a five-year development program to integrate and certify the CTS800-4AT engine model on the Turkish Light Utility Helicopter (TLUH) platform. The agreement is expected to result in a production program that will provide helicopters to the local Turkish military and civil market, as well as globally. With the CTS800, operators will benefit from a proven commercial and military propulsion system that expands mission range and payload.
HP HP Star Wars Premier HP Turkey launched HP Star Wars Special Edition Notebooks, exclusively designed with inspiration by the Galactic Empire saga, on December 17, 2015 following the exclusive screening of the movie in Kanyon Cinemaximum theatres with the participation of press, customers and VIP guests who are Star Wars fans. Star Wars movie characters welcomed the guests at the event; that about 60 journalists and over 250 of invitees attended. “HP is delivering an amazing Star Wars experience as the only PC vendor collaborating with Disney and Lucasfilm to create a one-of-a-kind notebook,” said Filiz Akdede, HP Turkey General Manager. “As part of this collaboration, we were able to tap into Lucasfilm’s media archives to create custom-made screen savers, desktop backgrounds and sound profiles – configurable by the customer.”
Intel Intel – Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) Robotic Technologies Competition Award Ceremony with Minister of Youth The competition was launched in August and the award ceremony took place on December 4th with Minister of Youth, President of the TIM and Intel Turkey Country Manager Burak Aydin on stage. The award ceremony was part of the Turkey Innovation Week, a very prestigious 3-day event that gathers 50K people each year and also Clevel executives and high-level state officials. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was also a speaker at the Turkey Innovation Week event. More than 100 applications were received from August to October from people whose ages varied between 8 and 42. 50 teams were invited to a Demo Day in Istanbul on November 21st. 10 projects from the General Category (from all grades) and 11 projects from the Young Inventors Category (only elementary and high school students) received awards and these 21 projects were presented to visitors for 3 days during the Turkey Innovation Week Event. Intel Education Service Corps trainers were in Istanbul! New Businesses New Ideas Award Ceremony in Ankara
Janssen Dr. Nilufer Cetin Appointed As Janssen Turkey Medical Director
Dr. Nilufer Cetin has been appointed as Janssen Turkey Medical Director as of December 2015. Before this appointment, Nilufer Cetin has been working successfully as Central Nervous System (CNS) Marketing and Business Affairs Manager in Janssen Turkey Marketing & Business Affairs Department. Cetin who joined Janssen Turkey in 2008 as Anti-Infective and Neurology Therapeutic Area Manager contributed to the formation of "Janssen Infection Team". Until 2013, she worked as Therapeutic Area Manager for CNS portfolio and in addition to this role; she shared her experiences on "Immunology" as scientific leader and contributed to establishing collaboration with stakeholders and development of new visions and strategies. As of 2013, Cetin pioneered Janssen Turkey Marketing strategies for CNS and Immunology portfolio, and as CNS Value Team Leader, led conversion of insights to strategies to improve patient outcomes as well. Johnson & Johnson Receives Pinnacle Award in Working Mother Magazine’s 2015 List of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers
Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Turkey new structure, Managing Director Ozgur Tomruk Ozgur Tomruk is appointed Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Turkey, leading both Global Orthopedics and Global Surgery businesses. Ozgur is based in JNJ Turkey’s Istanbul headquarters and reports to Hani Abouhalka, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Vice President, Emerging Markets. Ozgur started his career in the banking industry in the US where he worked as a Finance Manager for US Bank. In 2001, he moved to Paris, France where he joined Schering Plough as Finance Manager responsible for the Middle East Region. Two years later, he moved to Turkey as Finance Director of Schering’s Turkish operation. In 2008, Ozgur was appointed to lead the Women’s Health business of Schering Plough as Sales and Marketing Director. He served as a Sales and Marketing Director for Schering-Plough, MSD and Baxter in diverse therapy areas. In 2013, Ozgur joined Johnson & Johnson as Managing Director for Global Surgery in Turkey. Ozgur has a Management Engineering degree from Istanbul Technical University and an MBA from Miami University.
JLL Global300: The New Commercial Geography of Cities JLL Cities Research Center has published ‘Global 300’ in December, one of the most popular analysis of the year. This report analyses 300 cities that we have identified as the focus of global commercial real estate activity within distinct kind of means. Among cities have attractive commercial geography, Istanbul takes please on the list of World’s Top 20 Commercially attractive cities and takes place on the list of Europe’s top 4. Cities that are identified as commercially attractive are the overwhelming focus of international corporations, cross-border retailers, hotel brands and real estate investors. They are the destination of nearly three-quarters of global direct commercial real estate investment and home to 90% of the world's prime office stock. In this regard an increase in the foreign direct investment rates and a more commercially active environment in Istanbul for 2016 are expected. For further details please click here.
Liberty Sigorta Liberty Sigorta has closed the year with satisfying results Liberty Sigorta, part of Liberty Mutual Group in Turkey, has written 158 million TRY Gross Written Premium with 17% growth compared to 2014. Thanks to changing its strategy and agency channel composition in 2015, the company enters to the New Year with high enthusiasm. Liberty Sigorta CEO Defne Turkes said that in non-motor branches, excluding Casco and Motor Third Party Liability, the company has reached more than %50 growth. She stated that “We have a staff keeping their motivation high and also have an agency network with good cooperation all the time. That’s why we think we will be successful again in 2016 and reach all the targets we defined”. Liberty Sigorta is one of the fastest-growing insurance company in the market, has 9 regional offices and more than 700 agents around Turkey.
Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions EMEA R&D Operations in Teknopark Istanbul Teknopark Istanbul is a science and technology park being developed in Istanbul by the undersecretary of defense industries and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce to advance Turkey's technology development capacity as well as to create a dynamic innovation environment for local and international companies. By 2016 Teknopark will have 83,000 sqm of office space, having 6 universities and 7 companies building their excellence centers there. LWS EMEA is one of the companies who had the privilege of having a R&D facility being the first to have its own cleanroom within Teknopark. Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions EMEA R&D facility will focus on new technologies in life sciences and advance electronics which are 2 of 8 focus technologies of Teknopark Istanbul.
Miyamoto International 8th National Earthquake Engineering Conference Organized with the cooperation of Istanbul Technical University, Chamber of Civil Engineers and Turkey Earthquake Foundation, the 8th National Earthquake Engineering Conference took place at Mustafa Kemal Lecture Hall of Istanbul Technical University’s Macka Campus. Miyamoto International provided sponsorship to support the event. In addition to the sponsorship, Miyamoto submitted two technical papers in the conference entitled “Large Scale World Bank Seismic Risk Reduction Program for Public Buildings in Turkey” and “Full-Scale Testing of High-Voltage Electrical Equipment: Lessons Learned and New Challenges.”
Moroglu Arseven Moroğlu Arseven Contributes to Anti-corruption Toolkit for Small and Medium-sized Companies Commissioned by G20 and B20 The Toolkit was created during Turkey’s 2015 G20 presidency and authored by IBLF Global and Türkiye Etik ve İtibar Derneği (Turkish Ethics and Reputation Society) to support SMEs to identify and combat corruption. This practical resource has now been published and can be accessed here. Moroğlu Arseven is proud to contribute to the development of this resource, receiving specific acknowledgement from the authors. The Toolkit addresses key questions about corruption, providing practical information and examples to assist SMEs to understand issues as well as implement effective solutions. Read more Moroğlu Arseven Sponsors International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) 2015 Half Year Conference in Istanbul Moroğlu Arseven Supports Bosses of the Future Entrepreneurship Competition (Geleceğin Patronları Yarışması)
MSD Turkey MSD Turns 125 - Celebrating a legacy of invention that continues to fuel its quest to cure 2016 marks MSD’s 125th anniversary as a global healthcare leader. At the forefront of inventing tools guided by a rich legacy, MSD continues to fight against some of the world's most urgent global health challenges such as cancer, hepatitis C, Alzheimer’s disease, Ebola, antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” and cardio-metabolic diseases. Since the company’s inception in 1891, MSD has pushed the boundaries of science and changed the world repeatedly through its history – from the development of the first vaccines for measles and mumps to the development of groundbreaking medicines for heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV and melanoma. MSD has also had a long history of leading the way in corporate responsibility, including its unprecedented Ivermectin Donation Program through which it has donated more than one billion treatments in affected areas. Today, MSD makes important strides in the fight against maternal mortality through MSD for Mothers, a long-term effort that aims to create a world where no woman has to die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. MSD’s goal as a premier biopharmaceutical company is to build on this remarkable legacy of invention and scientific discovery.
Philip Morris / Sabanci Philip Morris/Sabanci opened the world's first and only "Oriental Tobacco Agronomy and Training Center" on October 27, 2015 in Torbali, Izmir The Oriental Tobacco Agronomy Center was established at Torbali production facilities of Philip Morris/Sabanci with an investment around 1 million dollar. Good agricultural practices developed at the center will be carried to the field, ensuring contribution to the increase in the sustainability, productivity and quality of tobacco cultivation in Turkey, which is the world's leader in oriental tobacco. The Agronomy Center has become one of the most important bases of Philip Morris International. Making significant investments in agricultural development and sustainable agriculture in Turkey, Philip Morris/Sabanci has launched another very important project, which will add momentum to these efforts. The ‘Oriental Tobacco Agronomy and Training Center’, which was opened at Torbali production facilities of Philip Morris/Sabanci, bears the title of the "First Global Oriental Tobacco Research and Development Center" of Philip Morris
International operating in 180 countries. Agronomy Center, the first center holding "Private Sector's Agricultural Research Institution" certificate in the field of tobacco agriculture, will not only perform researches for productivity-increasing modern agricultural techniques and developing new tobacco varieties, but will also spend efforts for introducing new agricultural techniques and providing trainings to the industrial representatives. Read More
P&G P&G receives awards from InovaLIG and ÇEVKO P&G won the third prize in InovaLIG, Turkey's 2 nd innovation development program implemented by the Exporters' Assembly of Turkey (TIM) and A.T. Kearney, international management consulting firm, in the "Innovation Strategy" category. The InovaLIG program issues scorecards for Turkish companies to determine the innovation leaders of the year. P&G also received the Industry Award in “Waste Management System Applications” category of the 2nd "Green Dot Industry Awards" given by ÇEVKO and supported by PRO Europe (Packaging Recovery Organization Europe). Working towards P&G’s global 2020 sustainability goals, P&G Turkey has achieved its objective “sending zero manufacturing waste to landfills” from its production facilities as of November 2015. P&G incorporates innovation and sustainability in the center of its operations to contribute to better and more sustainable lives of numerous people worldwide.
UPS UPS Study Reveals European Online Shoppers Demand Flexibility UPS, a global leader in logistics and transportation services, and comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, released the second UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper(tm) Europe study, analyzing what drives an online shopper's full path to purchase. Key findings from the study include that online shoppers want alternative delivery locations and more payment options, mobile is a catalyst to omnichannel shopping and retailers should address limitations and free shipping is still important along with a greater emphasis on returns. For more information and see an animated map, click here.
Xerox Mehmet Sezer appointed to Xerox CIT General Manager Mehmet Sezer who has worked as Xerox MEA (Middle East and Africa) General Manager in London since 2014, has been assigned as Xerox CIT (Turkey, Israel, Central and Eastern European Countries) General Manager. Mehmet Sezer will be in charge of managing Xerox CIT countries’ operations, enhancing the usage rate of Xerox products and solutions, extending business partner network and conducting strategic projects. Before his Xerox MEA General Manager duty, Mehmet Sezer pursued his role as Xerox Turkey General Manager between the years of 2007-2014.
– Meetings & Activities – October 9 | Saglam KOBI / Business Disaster Resiliency Employee Volunteering Program AmCham Turkey/ABFT Corporate Social Responsibility Committee’s social responsibility project “Business Disaster Resiliency Program for Turkey” Employee Volunteering program was held on October 9 th at Kadir Has University Cibali Campus. Organized in collaboration with the Corporate Social Responsibility Association of Turkey, a half-day Train the Trainers seminar on the topics of definition of disaster and its varieties, disaster risks and examples from the world, phases of disaster and steps for business continuity took place with the attendance of 12 representatives from ABFT member companies Baker & McKenzie, Chadbourne Parke, Dow, Deloitte, Istanbul Marriott Hotel Sisli, Xerox and UPS. The overall aim of the volunteering program is to raise general awareness about the Saglam KOBI project in Turkey, enable sustainability in business operations of SMEs upon disasters and help create disaster-resilient businesses.
October 9 | Meeting with British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey (BCCT) On October 9th, Canan Ozsoy, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Board member, ABFT’s Ethics and Compliance Committee Chairwoman and GE Turkey President and CEO and Elif Demircan, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director held a meeting with Chris Gaunt, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey (BCCT). The meeting focused on cooperation opportunities amongst the associations in Turkey.
October 13 | Meeting with Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Turkey On October 13th, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director Elif Demircan held a meeting with Eda Akalin Hosceylan, Director at Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Turkey. The meeting featured an introduction of both sides’ events and activities to each other and discussions on potential collaboration opportunities in moving forward with both sides’ projects.
October 21 | “Turkey Speaks English in the Global Economy” Breakfast Program On October 21st, AmCham Turkey/ABFT organized a breakfast program entitled “Turkey Speaks English in the Global Economy” with the keynote speaker of Gerben van Lent, Executive Director of Strategy and Business Growth at ETS Global at Grand Hyatt Istanbul. The program featured discussions on leading English language credentials and certification systems in the world, evaluation of appropriate tools for effective English level assessments in Turkey with particular emphasis on the needs and expectations of U.S. multinationals and the importance of increased English communication skills for a quality workforce and a strengthened business environment in Turkey. 20+ participants from AmCham Turkey/ABFT member companies attended the event.
November 6 | Meeting with C@rma On November 6th, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director Elif Demircan held a meeting with Sandrine Ramboux, Founding and Managing Director at Carma, company dedicated to engage and promote pro bono volunteering in Turkey through developing online and offline community of volunteers to support Turkish NGOs and social entrepreneurs. The meeting featured an introduction of both sides’ activities to each other and discussion on potential cooperation areas between the organizations for future events and activities.
November 6 | Meeting with TÜSİAD On November 6th, Tamer Sen, Senior Head of Global Economic Relations Department and Hale Onursal, Deputy Secretary General at TÜSİAD paid a visit to AmCham Turkey/ABFT office and held a meeting with Executive Director Elif Demircan for discussion on cooperation areas amongst the associations and collaboration on future events and activities.
November 11 | Attendance to USIMP Patent Fair 2015 The University-Industry Cooperation Centers Platform of Turkey (USIMP) organized a 2-day event "USIMP Patent Fair", between the dates 11-12 November 2015 at Harbiye Askeri Müzesi in Istanbul. The event provided a technology marketplace involving keynote speeches and panel discussions presenting academic and industrial perspectives on commercialization of academic research results, bringing together providers (university patents) and technology seekers (companies) to create new collaborations and foster technology transfers. AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director Elif Demircan attended a Panel session with representatives of British and Swedish Chambers of Commerce in Istanbul, providing remarks on intellectual property rights protection in Turkey and the link between increased protection and foreign direct investments.
November 14-15 | Attendance to B20 Turkey Summit, Antalya The B20 Turkey Summit was held in Antalya on the dates of November 14-15, 2015 with the attendance of leading business leaders across the world for discussions on the progress of the business community had achieved over the year, the main messages to be delivered to G20 leaders ahead of the G20 Summit and working areas that can be improved in future presidencies for advancing the global economic agenda. ABFT members of the Board of Directors including Canan Ozsoy, GE Turkey President and CEO, Tankut Turnaoglu,
Procter & Gamble Chairman of the Board, Turkey and Caucasus, Haluk Yalcin, PwC Turkey Territory Partner, Cigdem Ertem, Intel Regional Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Neil Pryor, PepsiCo Turkey General Manager, Ihsan Necipoglu, Dow General Manager Turkey & Central Asia, Huseyin Gurer, Deloitte Turkey CEO and Elif Demircan, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director attended the Summit.
November 18-20 | U.S. Trade Mission to Azerbaijan Certified by the U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC), with the support of AmCham Turkey/ABFT, AmCham Azerbaijan, U.S. Commercial Service Turkey and the U.S. Embassy Baku organized a U.S. Trade Mission to Baku, Azerbaijan between the dates of November 18-20, 2015. The trade mission started on November 18 th with formal reception at the residence of U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta and completed on November 20 th with a high-level gala dinner that celebrated USACC’s 20th Anniversary. 15 companies with 34 delegates attended the trade mission that featured networking and briefing sessions with leading regional industry experts, roundtable discussion with Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, one to one business meetings of companies and with key regional experts to discuss market-entry strategies and insights.
November 25 | Meeting with U.S. Consulate Representatives on Women Leadership Network Project On November 25th, ABFT Board members including Mrs. Serra Akcaoglu, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Chairwoman and Citibank Turkey CEO and Board Member, Mine Ozturk, Baxter International Turkey General Manager and Elif Demircan, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director attended a meeting with Maria Andrews, Principal Commercial Officer at U.S. Commercial Service in Istanbul and Christina Agor, U.S. Deputy Consul General for discussions and collaboration on AmCham Turkey/ABFT’s women leadership network project that successfully completed its first year in 2015.
November 26 | AmCham Turkey/ABFT Thanksgiving Dinner Event AmCham Turkey/ABFT and its member Istanbul Marriott Hotel Sisli organized a Thanksgiving Dinner event on Thursday, November 26th at Istanbul Marriott Hotel Sisli. The event started with the opening remarks of Elif Demircan, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director followed by the welcoming address of Arne Klein, Istanbul Marriott Hotel Sisli General Manager. AmCham’s first of its kind Thanksgiving Dinner had a huge turnout, held with the participations of more than 95 people including ABFT members of the Board of Directors Mine Ozturk, Baxter Turkey General Manager, Ufku Akaltan, UPS Turkey General Manager and Huseyin Gurer, Deloitte Turkey CEO.
November 25-26 | 4th PPP in Turkey Forum The 4th PPP in Turkey Forum took place on the dates of November 25-26, 2015 at Movenpick Hotel in Ankara. The main theme of the Forum was PPP opportunities and challenges in Turkey with special focus on healthcare, education and transportation infrastructures. The Conference featured a Ministerial address by Seyit Ahmet Bas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance in Turkey followed by the speech of Director General of Investment Programming, Monitoring and Evaluation’s at Ministry of Development in Turkey on Turkey’s investment potential in diverse industries. AmCham Turkey/ABFT acted as media partner for this event.
December 3 | Saglam KOBI / Resilient SMEs Advisory Board Roundtable Meeting As part of AmCham Turkey/ABFT’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee’s annual CSR project, AmCham Turkey/ABFT is providing support and acting in the advising capacity for Saglam KOBI/ Business Disaster Resiliency Program for Turkey initiative which is jointly developed by UPS, the World Economic Forum, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Corporate Social Responsibility Association of Turkey. The program aims to develop a disaster preparedness initiative for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) through engaging the public, private and civil society
organizations to work together and identify best practices that would enhance the resilience of SMEs in Turkey. The initiative’s Advisory Board members, including Ms. Elif Demircan, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director attended a roundtable meeting on December 3rd at Google offices to get latest project updates and collectively discuss ways to strengthen and increase the public awareness of the initiative.
December 4 | Meeting with Economic-Commercial Section of U.S. Embassy Uzbekistan On December 4th, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director Elif Demircan held a meeting with Zaytuna Nasirova, Commercial Assistant at Economic - Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan and Ebru Olcay, Commercial Specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service in Turkey at ABFT office. The meeting featured information exchange and discussion on potential collaboration opportunities for the upcoming trade mission that will be organized by AmCham Turkey and U.S. Embassy in Turkey.
December 17 | Attendance to TAIK Strategy Development Meeting On December 17th, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director Elif Demircan attended the Turkey-U.S. Business Council (TAIK)’s Strategy Development Meeting held at Wyndham Istanbul with the participations of representatives from the private sector, public institutions and leading business associations. The meeting featured workshop sessions with discussions on ways to enhance bilateral economic and commercial relations between Turkey and the U.S. with particular emphasis on trade, investments, services, corporate infrastructure and engagement amongst institutions that work on strengthening the commercial ties of the two countries.
December 22 | Attendance at Economic Development Foundation (IKV) Roundtable Meeting On December 22nd, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Executive Director Elif Demircan attended Economic Development Foundation (IKV)’s “Personal Data Protection in Turkey and in the EU” report launch and roundtable meeting event held at Park Dedeman in Istanbul. Following a presentation on the report’s key findings, the event continued with a panel discussion that focused on the current situation of data protection in Turkey and future strategies.
AmCham Turkey/ABFT New Team Member We are pleased to announce that Dilara Tilsim Olpak has joined AmCham Turkey/ABFT as Office Management and Membership Services Coordinator effective December 2015. Before joining ABFT, Dilara worked at Peterson Institute as Assistant to the President in Washington, D.C. and interned at the Brookings Institution, Turkish Embassy in D.C., and the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. She graduated from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and concentrated on cybersecurity and energy politics in her studies. (dilara.olpak@amchamturkey.com)