AMBASSADOR GUINOMLA BATS FOR EARLY CREATION OF RP-TURKEY JOINT BUSINESS COUNCIL, INVITES BUSINESSMEN TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES

19 September 2007—Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Bahnarim A. Guinomla reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he  called for the immediate formation of a Philippine-Turkey joint business council in order to further boost bilateral trade between the two countries.

Addressing a reception attended by some 350 business executives and high-ranking national and local officials in Izmir City , Ambassador Guinomla encouraged the Izmiri businessmen to spearhead the creation of the council in coordination with newly-installed Philippine Honorary Consul Ender Yorgancilar.

The Ambassador also invited the Turkish businessmen to visit the Manila F.A.M.E. International to be held on October 27-30 and participate in the 2nd International Medical Conference (IMTC) scheduled on November 19-23 at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Metro Manila.

During the reception at Izmir 's Crown Plaza Hotel, the Ambassador received complimentary remarks from a number of businessmen on the Embassy's choice of Mr. Yorgancilar as the Philippines representative in Izmir and the Aegean region.

Turkey 's Minister of Defense Vecdi Gonul who was one of the prominent guests during the occasion led officials in praising the Embassy for choosing Consul Yorgancilar who is a highly-successful businessman and is held in high respect by the local community.

"You have made the best choice," Minister Gonul told the Ambassador.

While in Izmir (Turkey's third largest city 580 kms. southwest of Ankara), Ambassador Guinomla met with Mr, Ekrem Demirtas, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Izmir and Mr. Tamer Taskin, President of the Aegean Chamber of Industry.

Both sides agreed that bilateral trade figures are low and discussed ways to enhance them through exchange of visits, formation of the joint business council and more frequent contacts as well as participation in trade and commercial activities.

He also invited his hosts to visit the Philippines as tourists and encouraged the local businessmen to take a look at Mindanao as an investment area.

Ambassador Guinomla also informed the business leaders of the arrival in Turkey of a Filipino business delegation at the end of October.

The Aegean region businessmen said they will be happy to meet with the visitors and invite them to Izmir .

With Mr. Aziz Kocaoglu, the Mayor of the Greater Municipality of Izmir with a population of more than three million, the Ambassador discussed the possibility of a sisterhood agreement with a Philippine City.

The Ambassador also met with the Governor of Izmir, the Chief of Police, and the Rector of the Aegean University . END

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