Erdoğan calls on US businesspeople to believe in Turkey’s potential

NEW YORK

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sept. 20 called on businesspeople in the United States to believe in Turkey’s potential and make investments in the country.

“I would like to remind you that the doors of our relevant institutions and organizations in Turkey and our representative offices in America are always open to you. I expect you to continue to trust Turkey’s bright future and potential,” he said, addressing the Turkey-U.S. Business Council.

Ankara develops locally-focused trade policies for 50 states of America with different sectoral priorities, he said, adding that while the government sincerely works in this direction, some unilateral practices of the U.S. against Turkey that prevent trade complicate this work. “However, we believe that these issues will be resolved through dialogue on the basis of mutual interest and understanding,” he said.

Turkey expects businesspeople to take initiatives before American authorities to remove the barriers in bilateral trade, Erdoğan said.

“There is no doubt that the contributions of you and the business councils for the advancement of Turkish-American relations will have a multiplier effect. I know that you see very well the real purpose and danger posed by the baseless smear campaigns against our country by some lobbies and interest groups whose sole agenda is to poison Turkish-American relations. I believe that you will take a firm stance against these malicious activities that are far from legal and historical facts,” he stated.

The president said he expects economic relations between Turkey and the U.S. to grow to reach their “real full potential.”

“This very special and steadfast cooperation of ours has contributed to peace, stability and security in many parts of the world for years. The critical developments that have taken place recently have once again shown the significance and value of the strategic partnership between our countries,” he said.

There are cooperation opportunities between Turkey and the U.S. in the fields of security, defense and investments, he said.

Erdoğan emphasized that differences in opinions that occur from time to time between countries can be overcome through dialogue, solidarity and mutual respect.

Noting that U.S. President Joe Biden fully shares the understanding that developing economic relations between the two countries is “both possible and necessary,” Erdoğan reiterated both leaders’ determination to expand the bilateral trade volume to $100 billion, which is “a realistic target and is easily achievable as long as the right steps are taken.”

The bilateral trade volume between the U.S. and Turkey rose to $21 billion over the last year despite pandemic conditions and expressed hope it would reach $25 billion by the end of 2021.

The number of U.S.-based companies conducting business in Turkey had reached 1,971 by June 2021 and the U.S.’s direct investments in Turkey reached $13 billion, Erdoğan said and added that Turkish investors made direct investments worth $7.2 billion in the U.S., standing further out in global trade with cost-effective and vast production opportunities, a well-educated workforce and modern logistic infrastructure.

“The field of energy holds serious opportunities for both countries...I believe our cooperation in this field will advance more in the coming period,” he said.