İstanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) organized an event titled “Country Day of Russia: Opportunities for Turkey” with the contribution of Russia Istanbul Consulate General in order to discuss about cooperation and investment opportunities related to Russia which is one of the most important economical partners of Turkey and develop economical relationships more and more. Hosted by Adnan Dalgakıran, Deputy Chairman of ISO Executive Board in InterContinental Hotel with the participation of Andrey Podelyshev, the Consul General of Russia İstanbul, the organization attracted an intensive attention by business and industrial world.

Speaking at opening ceremony of the event, Adnan Dalgakıran, the Deputy Chairman of ISO stated that the most important institution of Turkish industry is ISO which exports to more than 200 countries by adding that Turkish industry has strengthened its position in world trade. Pointing out that neighboring countries have priority in commercial relationships in the world, Mr. Dalgakıran recorded that Turkey has also an important position in this matter. Addressing that Russia must be the most important commercial partner of Turkey in this context, Mr. Dalgakıran said that Russia is one of the most effective countries of the world in terms of its large population and underground and overground resources.

Remarking that national economy of both countries have mutually complementary features, Mr. Dalgakıran pointed out that Turkey operates in competitive industries and exports through SMEs, and Russia is powerful in technology and natural resources. Adding that both countries operate in different fields from each other, Mr. Dalgakıran said, “17 billion dollars of trade volume of both countries are in size of 2 trillion dollars based on Gross Domestic Product and under the potential for economies of Turkey and Russia.”

Deputy Chairman of ISO

Adnan Dalgakıran

Stressing that companies operating in the field of energy, fresh fruit and vegetable and ready-made clothing should continue to carry out their activities, Mr. Dalgakıran also stated that they should move beyond it. Remarking that 1.300 Turkish companies operating in Russia have 10 billion dollars of investment, Mr. Dalgakıran said that this number is very low. Indicating that they are business people and bureaucrats who know Russia, and vice versa, Mr. Dalgakıran said that they can overcome barriers preventing cooperation between two companies from accelerating by taking practical measures. Mr. Dalgakıran recorded that Turkish contractors have undertaken 1.910 projects in an amount of totally 65 billion dollars so far, and success achieved in this fields may be gained in other sectors.

Russia Istanbul Head Consul

Andrey Podelyshev

Andrey Podelyshev, Russia Istanbul Head Consul said that their bilateral relationship has started to be as it should be over the last two years. Remembering that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Republic of Turkey and Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia met three times in this year,  Mr. Podelyshev recorded that frequency of meetings have facilitated to overcome barriers.

Recording that relationships broken down after the crisis between two companies have tended to be repaired again, Mr. Podelyshev stated that trade volume has increased in the first half of this year at 30 percent compared to the first half of the previous year according to statistics. Pointing out that these numbers fall behind of the numbers before crisis in 2015, Mr. Podelyshev stated that there are still some problems. Addressing that restrictions for Turkish agricultural products are being solved step by step, Mr. Podelyshev said that some restrictions have been lifted.

Stating that energy sector is important, Mr. Podelyshev told that Turkish Movement project continues and a 220 km pipe line has been laid under sea in Black Sea watershed. Mr. Podelyshev recorded that operations continue for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and works on energy safety are maintained within the framework of Blue Stream. Indicating that efforts in political fields provide necessary infrastructure for them, Mr. Podelyshev emphasized that political will states the intentions and they take sides with close cooperation. Mr. Podelyshev added that as Head Consulate, they are ready to provide any support for industrialists who want to do business in Russia.

Ministry of Economy

Former Commercial Counselor of Moscow

Hasan Murat Nesimoğlu

Going up to the rostrum after opening speeches, Hasan Murat Nesimoğlu, the Former Commercial Counselor of Moscow of Ministry of Economy of Republic of Turkey (2009-2014) made a detailed presentation about investment opportunities in Russia. In his presentation, Mr. Nesimoğlu mentioned about matters to be considered by industrialists and business people while addressing experiences in his office period. Alexander Bakustin, the Turkish Commercial Agency Counselor of Russian Federation provided information about economical and commercial capacity of Russia. Mr. Bakustin shared investment opportunities in Russia in detail with participants.

Turkish Commercial Agency Counselor of

Russian Federation

Alexander Bakustin

Then, in the panel discussion titled Experiences of Turkish Companies in Russian Market, Aydın Süha Önder, Chairman of Russia of Şişecam Glass Package Group, Utku Abay General Manager of Russia of Tırsan - Kassbohrerand Cengiz Gül, the owner of Gül Elektrik Ticaret ve Sanayi A.Ş provided information about their operations conducted in Russia. After panel, questions of participants about Russia were answered in the question-answer session.