Turkey values partnership with China
By Yao Minji |
October 28, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DENIZ Eke, consul general of Turkey in Shanghai, is no stranger to China. She was first posted as the third secretary in the Turkish Embassy in Beijing between 1994 and 1998.
"There were only around 50 Turkish people in the country at the time," recalls the envoy who entered the foreign service in 1992.
After 40 years of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China, Shanghai is now home to nearly 600 Turkish citizens. Most of them work at one of more than 100 Turkish businesses, mostly trading companies specializing in textiles, auto, machinery and logistics.
They are welcome to join today's celebrations of Turkish National Day. Formal celebrations, for the 88th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey will be held tomorrow.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, a film week was organized in May to show Turkish movies to Chinese. Other events include a port visit by a Turkish naval frigate in August, three concerts from the country's most renowned pianists and academic exchanges from Turkey's acclaimed architects.
Eke expects to see academic and cultural exchanges increase next year as it is designated the "Year of China in Turkey" while 2013 will be the "Year of Turkey in China."
"Since my days in Beijing, the similarities between the two peoples keep surprising me," she says. "The dynamism, entrepreneurship, diligence, the importance of family and friends, hospitality, historical experiences and some of the traditions are so much alike.
"I am also glad to witness the growing interest among both the Turkish and Chinese people in learning each other's culture," she adds.
These common qualities have also helped her smoothly adjust to her new post. She has visited Shanghai both for business and in private frequently since her first trip in 1995, with an official delegation.
"For me, Shanghai resembles its sister city in Turkey, Istanbul, in many aspects. In both cities, one can feel the touch of both history and modernity. Both cities are financial and commercial centers of growing international significance," she says.
The consul general adds that the two economies are also among the fastest growing in the world, with China leading the ranks and Turkey third on the list.
Eke still remembers how the first Turkish business was established in China in 1994, during her posting in Beijing. A Turkish company opened a factory in China to produce chewing gum for its domestic and Chinese market. The company has since closed down, but it was the first step in rocketing bilateral trade.
The two nations have established close economic partnerships in many fields since then, with the bilateral trade volume in 2010 reaching US$19.4 billion, an increase of 36 percent compared to 2009.
The share of this consular regions, which covers Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, in Turkey-China bilateral trade was around 36 percent with a value of US$7.07 billion in 2010.
Turkish exports to China reached US$2.2 billion last year, an increase of 41 percent over 2009. China's exports to Turkey increased 35.5 percent last year to US$17.2 billion.
Both numbers are expected to increase this year. In the first eight months, Turkish exports to China reached US$1.6 billion and imports from China hit US$14.6 billion. The expected trade volume for this year is forecast at US$25 billion, which would represent an increase of 28.5 percent from 2010.
"China is already our biggest partner in the Far East, and our third biggest import source after Russia and Germany. However, our aim is to establish a more comprehensive economic partnership with China," Eke says.
She adds that one of the objectives is increasing bilateral trade. The prime ministers of China and Turkey have set a target to increase trade volume to US$50 billion in 2015, and to US$100 billion in 2020.
"In that context, we will be seeking more opportunities for increased exports from Turkey to China because we face a chronic imbalance in our bilateral trade," Eke says.
She has high hopes for an increase in Turkish exports to China in products such as marble, textiles and olive oil, among others.
"The Turkish companies tend to focus more on the opportunities that the Chinese market presents. Indeed, the opportunities are great. But China is also a very competitive market," she says.
"Our companies should be aware of this, and prepare themselves better with a carefully planned market access strategy. They should also familiarize themselves better with the changing consumer tastes and attitudes in China."
On the other hand, she also highly encourages Chinese companies to invest in Turkey, with the advantages of strong economic growth, political stability and economic predictability, making it one of the best destinations for foreign investors in today's economic downturn.
"According to the OECD (Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development), Turkey will keep the third highest growth rate after China and India by 2017. We have a Customs Union with the European Union in industrial products, which means that industrial goods produced in Turkey can enter the EU market free of customs duties," she adds.
"I'm sure the Chinese companies will find lots of opportunities as they familiarize themselves with Turkey."
Turkey by Numbers
40th
This year is the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Turkey.
600
Shanghai is now home to nearly 600 Turkish citizens. Most of them work at one of more than 100 Turkish businesses.
US$19.4b
The bilateral trade volume between China and Turkey in 2010 reached US$19.4 billion, an increase of 36 percent compared to 2009.
US$100b
The prime ministers of China and Turkey have set a target to increase trade volume to US$50 billion in 2015, and to US$100 billion in 2020.
"There were only around 50 Turkish people in the country at the time," recalls the envoy who entered the foreign service in 1992.
After 40 years of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China, Shanghai is now home to nearly 600 Turkish citizens. Most of them work at one of more than 100 Turkish businesses, mostly trading companies specializing in textiles, auto, machinery and logistics.
They are welcome to join today's celebrations of Turkish National Day. Formal celebrations, for the 88th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey will be held tomorrow.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, a film week was organized in May to show Turkish movies to Chinese. Other events include a port visit by a Turkish naval frigate in August, three concerts from the country's most renowned pianists and academic exchanges from Turkey's acclaimed architects.
Eke expects to see academic and cultural exchanges increase next year as it is designated the "Year of China in Turkey" while 2013 will be the "Year of Turkey in China."
"Since my days in Beijing, the similarities between the two peoples keep surprising me," she says. "The dynamism, entrepreneurship, diligence, the importance of family and friends, hospitality, historical experiences and some of the traditions are so much alike.
"I am also glad to witness the growing interest among both the Turkish and Chinese people in learning each other's culture," she adds.
These common qualities have also helped her smoothly adjust to her new post. She has visited Shanghai both for business and in private frequently since her first trip in 1995, with an official delegation.
"For me, Shanghai resembles its sister city in Turkey, Istanbul, in many aspects. In both cities, one can feel the touch of both history and modernity. Both cities are financial and commercial centers of growing international significance," she says.
The consul general adds that the two economies are also among the fastest growing in the world, with China leading the ranks and Turkey third on the list.
Eke still remembers how the first Turkish business was established in China in 1994, during her posting in Beijing. A Turkish company opened a factory in China to produce chewing gum for its domestic and Chinese market. The company has since closed down, but it was the first step in rocketing bilateral trade.
The two nations have established close economic partnerships in many fields since then, with the bilateral trade volume in 2010 reaching US$19.4 billion, an increase of 36 percent compared to 2009.
The share of this consular regions, which covers Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, in Turkey-China bilateral trade was around 36 percent with a value of US$7.07 billion in 2010.
Turkish exports to China reached US$2.2 billion last year, an increase of 41 percent over 2009. China's exports to Turkey increased 35.5 percent last year to US$17.2 billion.
Both numbers are expected to increase this year. In the first eight months, Turkish exports to China reached US$1.6 billion and imports from China hit US$14.6 billion. The expected trade volume for this year is forecast at US$25 billion, which would represent an increase of 28.5 percent from 2010.
"China is already our biggest partner in the Far East, and our third biggest import source after Russia and Germany. However, our aim is to establish a more comprehensive economic partnership with China," Eke says.
She adds that one of the objectives is increasing bilateral trade. The prime ministers of China and Turkey have set a target to increase trade volume to US$50 billion in 2015, and to US$100 billion in 2020.
"In that context, we will be seeking more opportunities for increased exports from Turkey to China because we face a chronic imbalance in our bilateral trade," Eke says.
She has high hopes for an increase in Turkish exports to China in products such as marble, textiles and olive oil, among others.
"The Turkish companies tend to focus more on the opportunities that the Chinese market presents. Indeed, the opportunities are great. But China is also a very competitive market," she says.
"Our companies should be aware of this, and prepare themselves better with a carefully planned market access strategy. They should also familiarize themselves better with the changing consumer tastes and attitudes in China."
On the other hand, she also highly encourages Chinese companies to invest in Turkey, with the advantages of strong economic growth, political stability and economic predictability, making it one of the best destinations for foreign investors in today's economic downturn.
"According to the OECD (Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development), Turkey will keep the third highest growth rate after China and India by 2017. We have a Customs Union with the European Union in industrial products, which means that industrial goods produced in Turkey can enter the EU market free of customs duties," she adds.
"I'm sure the Chinese companies will find lots of opportunities as they familiarize themselves with Turkey."
Turkey by Numbers
40th
This year is the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Turkey.
600
Shanghai is now home to nearly 600 Turkish citizens. Most of them work at one of more than 100 Turkish businesses.
US$19.4b
The bilateral trade volume between China and Turkey in 2010 reached US$19.4 billion, an increase of 36 percent compared to 2009.
US$100b
The prime ministers of China and Turkey have set a target to increase trade volume to US$50 billion in 2015, and to US$100 billion in 2020.
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