At MÜSİAD EXPO 2020, organized biennially by MÜSİAD, many steps were taken to develop Turkey's trade and investment networks. As part of this event, the MÜSİAD-World Honorary Consuls Trade and Diplomacy Summit was held, attended by 50 honorary consuls, and an International Cooperation Agreement (MOU) was signed with 19 new organizations from four continents.

To contribute to trade and investment networks, honorary consuls, a leading element of diplomacy, which has become the language of communication in trade, came together at the "MÜSİAD-World Honorary Consuls Trade and Diplomacy Summit" held as part of MÜSİAD EXPO 2020. The summit, where honorary consuls shared information on opening new investment and trade channels, once again demonstrated MÜSİAD's breadth of expertise. Having signed a total of 193 agreements with various institutions and organizations to date, MÜSİAD also signed MOU agreements with 19 new organizations from four continents at the fair. Thanks to these new agreements, steps will be taken to develop exports and trade between Turkey and these countries.

“WE WANT TO STRENGTHEN THIS NETWORK”

MÜSİAD Vice President Mehmet Akif Özyurt emphasized that honorary consuls, who help develop economic, commercial, social, and cultural relations between various countries and the Republic of Turkey and contribute to the country's promotion at the highest level, also make significant contributions to foreign trade expansion and attracting foreign direct investment. He stated that they organized this summit, which brings together Turkish Honorary Consuls from around the world for the last three years, because they are aware of this.

Özyurt stated that MÜSİAD has become a hub for commercial diplomacy in this sense, and that the success achieved worldwide demonstrates this. He added, “This meeting is very important in developing our commercial diplomacy strategy.”

Speaking at the summit, Fatih Keçebir, Chairman of the MÜSİAD Supreme Board, stated that honorary consulates are given greater importance, especially in countries lacking a widespread diplomatic mission network. He said, “Turkey is very fortunate in this regard. We have honorary consuls whose commercial volume requires a multi-supplier network. We want to further strengthen this network through MÜSİAD Expo.” Zeki Güvercin, Chairman of the MÜSİAD Diplomatic Relations Committee, reminded everyone that this summit is being held for the first time as part of MÜSİAD EXPO. He noted that there are 210 countries in the world, and 120 have honorary consulates in Turkey. Güvercin also noted that Turkey has nearly 100 honorary consuls worldwide, and he also announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take steps with MÜSİAD on this matter in the coming weeks.

Hatun Demirer, Director General of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one of the speakers at the summit, expressed the great value of MÜSİAD organizing such an event to foster commercial relations.

Following Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Istanbul Representative, who stated that honorary consuls have fulfilled their responsibilities exceedingly during this challenging period, nearly 30 honorary consuls took the floor.

WHAT DID THE HONORARY CONSUL'S SAY?

Lesotho Honorary Consul Yunus Ete stated that they want to strengthen the country's relations with Turkey.

Honduran Honorary Consul and President of the World Honorary Consuls Association Emre Ete emphasized the aim of strengthening relations between the countries in political and social spheres as well as economic ones, emphasizing the importance of direct investment and receiving investment in these countries.

Africa Honorary Consul Tamer Taşkın stated that the $2 billion trade relationship between the two countries is insufficient and that it is essential to increase it, emphasizing the need to increase bilateral agreements.

Paraguayan Honorary Consul Cengiz Deveci stated that there is potential for developing trade and diplomatic relations with the country, reminding the audience:

“The previous government of Paraguay moved its embassy to Jerusalem. Thanks to our collaboration and briefings with the new government, the embassy has been relocated to Tel Aviv.”

Spanish Honorary Consul Zeynel Abidin Erdem also stated that the trade volume between Turkey and Spain has reached $12.8 billion, emphasizing that Spain is one of the few countries with a closed import-export gap.

Senegal Honorary Consul in Istanbul Emin Çakmak emphasized that Senegal has significant potential for food, agricultural products, construction materials, and textiles.

Honorary Consul Abdullah Yeşil noted that the country's imports are $18 billion and that the country is under Chinese hegemony. Yeşil stated that there are investment plans in sustainable food security, increased manufacturing, an accessible healthcare system, and affordable public housing, and emphasized that Turkey's relations with the country are good.

Honorary Consul of the Dominican Republic, Lalia Gonzalez, said that there is a trade volume of 60 million between the two countries and that foreign relations and foreign investors are given importance in the Dominican Republic and that there has been a great change as of this year.