Navigating with One Wing in Our Country and the Other in Our World

We will persist in advancing our Business Diplomacy

The swallow, a delicate and beautiful songbird found worldwide, boasts fascinating characteristics. It has been a subject of legends dating back to ancient Turks, Chinese civilization, and sailors, and is revered as sacred in some cultures… I compare these rare swallow species to our Business Councils, embodying identities that are hardworking, risk-taking, comfort-breaking, innovative, communicative, quality-conscious, and loyal to their homeland regardless of their adventurous nature. Their harmonious and courageous traits contribute meaning to their surroundings, wherever they may be.

May our General Assembly of Business Councils, where we elect the Chairpersons and Executive Boards of our 151 Business Councils representing the Turkish Business World in 144 countries and 7 sectoral areas, be successful and prosperous. I express gratitude to our outgoing Business Council Chairpersons and Executive Boards for their dedicated efforts. I extend my best wishes for success to our newly appointed Business Council Chairpersons and Executive Boards.

In a heartfelt expression of our unwavering fidelity, I want to express gratitude to everyone who has contributed and supported this beautiful family since its inception. May Allah’s mercy be upon those who have passed away. I extend my congratulations to our presidents and their councils who have been honoured to receive awards on behalf of the Business Councils at our Business Diplomacy Awards following our General Assembly.

Acknowledging and rewarding efforts at the end of an endeavour strengthens feelings of belonging and motivation. Expressing gratitude is a costless yet profoundly important behaviour. Since our previous Business Diplomacy Awards ceremony, we have organized 1,500 Business Diplomacy events, with the participation of Chairpersons, Heads of State, Ministers, diplomatic mission representatives, and business people.

From 4th TABEF, where we hosted nearly 4,000 representatives of the business world, to the 13th Türkiye Investment Conference in New York, aimed at achieving our 100 billion USD trade target with the United States and taking new steps. Also, from our 10th DTİK kurultai, where we hosted more than 4,000 Turkish diaspora representatives from 131 countries, to the 14th Ambassadors Conference, where we discussed global diplomacy with our Ministers and Ambassadors, we have organized numerous activities, both large and small.

In our country’s business diplomacy efforts this year, we have various goals and agendas in each region, ranging from our EU Green Deal initiatives to lobbying for Customs Union modernization. Additionally, from our initial target of a 50 billion USD trade volume, progressing to 75 billion USD with Africa, to our active engagement in the ASEAN and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) agenda, we are swiftly advancing our work across multiple crucial areas. We will persist in advancing our Business Diplomacy activities, with our country on one wing and the world on the other…

In this edition of our Business Diplomacy magazine, where we thoroughly delve into the DEİK Business Council’s 2023 Ordinary Elective General Assemblies, we assess DEİK activities and targets. Our magazine encompasses activities such as TABEF and the 10th DTİK Kurultai organized by DEİK in 2023. It also highlights investment conferences and meetings conducted by DEİK Business Councils in collaboration with Counter Wing Organizations. In our evaluations with business people, we delved into numerous issues ranging from the significant domain of “Women and Entrepreneurship” to the European Green Deal.

Enjoy your reading.