DEIK: THE STRONGEST REPRESENTATIVE OF BUSINESS DIPLOMACY ON A GLOBAL SCALE

DEİK strengthens Türkiye’s global economic relations; it empowers Turkish companies on the international stage through events such as ATC, TRICON, and GO! GLOBAL

Throughout its 40-year journey, DEIK has played a significant role as the voice and representative of the Turkish business world on a global scale. I believe that this mission, which brings diplomacy and the business world together, has not only strengthened Türkiye’s international economic relations but has also contributed to Turkish companies achieving a more visible, effective, and respected position in global markets.

The international collaborations carried out to date, the projects implemented with counterpart organizations, and the events organized have created strategic opportunities for our business world. DEIK’s contacts across a wide geography stretching from America to Asia and from Africa to Europe have played an important role in enabling Turkish companies to integrate more strongly into global value chains. In this respect, I can say that DEIK is more than just a bridge; it is a platform for building sustainable economic relations.

One of the best examples of DEIK’s role on international platforms is the pioneering steps it has taken to develop economic relations between Türkiye and the United States. The American Turkish Conference (ATC), held in Washington, D.C., stands out today as one of the most important platforms bringing together the Turkish and American business communities. The ATC not only brings businesspeople together, but also provides an opportunity to hear the views and assessments of decision-makers from both countries on defense, energy, investment, and other priority areas.

Another event that strengthens strategic and commercial cooperation between the two countries is the Türkiye Investment Conference (TRICON), held in New York within the framework of the United Nations meetings. TRICON hosts sector-focused roundtable meetings where global investors and fund managers directly observe Türkiye’s investment environment and share cooperation opportunities and potential. The roundtable meeting, attended by our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and bringing together more than 20 American companies listed in the Fortune 100, is also one of the most important parts of the conference. I believe that TRICON, which strengthens ties with American and international partners and paves the way for concrete cooperation opportunities, serves as a powerful example of how business diplomacy works in practice.

Additionally, the ‘GO! GLOBAL Türkiye’ Summit, which was launched last year and will be held for the second time this year, enables Turkish companies to develop a global vision and expand into different regions. GO! GLOBAL, as a platform that encourages startups emerging in Türkiye to think internationally and supports the “glocalization” (evaluating local opportunities with a global perspective) approach, enables companies to take more assertive and effective steps on the international stage.

When looking specifically at the US, DEIK’s activities are of strategic importance for the Turkish business world. We know that the contacts established with American companies on the Fortune 100 list open doors for cooperation in priority sectors such as energy, technology, defense, finance, and healthcare. The ATC and TRICON meetings held in Washington and New York not only strengthen the economic agenda but also enhance the political and strategic dialogue between the two countries.

I believe that in the coming period, these activities will serve to increase Türkiye’s value-added contribution to global value chains. While ATC and TRICON are redefining Türkiye-US economic relations within a strategic framework, initiatives such as GO! GLOBAL will enable Turkish companies to become more effective and visible in different regions.

The work carried out over the past forty years demonstrates the strength of DEIK’s vision of bringing diplomacy and the business world together. I am confident that this vision will continue to add value to Türkiye’s economy in the coming years as the strongest representative of business diplomacy on a global scale.