THE NORTH STAR OF OUR DİASPORA: DTİK

The World Turkish Business Council (DTİK) is a special-purpose Business Council aiming to contribute to the global sphere of influence of Türkiye through Diaspora Diplomacy with the goal of improving economic interaction and coordination between Turkish business people living abroad and friends of Türkiye. Having the awareness that an economically empowered diaspora will contribute more to the economic and cultural relations between the country they live in and their homeland, DTİK will reassert its will to become an inclusive platform for the activities of the Turkish diaspora by means of the Kurultai held for the tenth time this year.

In this context, DTİK aims to establish the necessary institutional structure for the coordination process of the commercial and economic activities of the Turkish diaspora. Just as DEİK claims to be the North Star of the Turkish business world by bringing our power to the world through Business Diplomacy activities, DTİK claims to be the North Star of our diaspora by strengthening the economic power of the Turkish diaspora. Also, the main principle of DTİK’s “Business Council” characteristic is to be the common address of Turkish entrepreneurs, Turkish professionals, and friends of Türkiye, who are economically developed all over the world and integrated into the system of the country where they live.

DTİK will first appoint a country representative in all countries where DEİK has a Business Council, and establish the Country Representative Boards, which will act as the decision-making mechanism for the activities to be carried out in these countries, and then develop a city-based membership structure with city representatives consisting of our diaspora members who live in these countries and have achieved success with their economic activities. Our DTİK Representative Boards aim to represent both our diaspora members consisting of successful Turkish entrepreneurs and professionals and our largest Turkish investments made in the relevant country.

Called the “Century of Türkiye” where we celebrate the centenary of our Republic with enthusiasm and pride, this period witnessed the rise of the members of the Turkish diaspora, whom we wish to unite more strongly under the roof of DTİK, as the leading actors of global success stories all over the world through the teachings and achievements of their past labour migration experience. Hence today, without the need for any additional effort, Turks around the world are becoming more and more known for their dynamism, ungiving identity, ability to behave in an appropriate and correct manner, entrepreneurial spirit and courage. The determined and entrepreneurial Turkish diaspora is involved in decision-making at many levels from the local to the international level, stands out in the top management positions in significant multinational companies, makes risky investments for the development of lands thought to be inaccessible, and gains the appreciation of the entire world’s public opinion by achieving success in conditions thought to be uncompetitive. On top of it, the ability to cooperate with Türkiye-friendly business people and friendly diasporas is one of the distinguishing virtues of the Turkish diaspora.

It should be highlighted that without a doubt, the most dynamic and influential aspect of the Turkish diaspora will be women and youth. We are pleased that looking at the rising stars of the Turkish diaspora, we do not see a dominant region, gender or age group, but Turkish women, Turkish men, and Turkish youth who are committed to Türkiye and its cultural and historical values as a whole. The women and youth of our diaspora are building the cornerstones of a sense of belonging felt by people who rejoice in the success of Türkiye and the Turkish people, find the traces of Anatolian lands in its own success and identity, and feel the contribution and support of the Turkish people wherever it is in the world, no matter what belief or world view they have.

Feeling a sense of belonging to all colours and historical and cultural heritage of our country, having internalised our common values, and bearing the love of the motherland in its heart, the Turkish capital has a great mission ahead. Having such a strategic vision, Turkish businesspeople will enter the centenary year of our Republic with an even more assertive will and a stronger communication network among themselves, thanks to the strong ties of friendship and lasting economic relations they have established in the lands they live. The inclusive and embracing approach of our business people who lead the Turkish diaspora, no matter where they live in the world, no matter how far they are from their homeland, is a valuable indicator of how they embrace and carry the values that inspired our Republic. Consequently, in the centenary year of our Republic, we clearly see that our diaspora, which carries in their minds and hearts our common values tying the lands of our homeland together, has developed, makes economic, social and cultural contributions to the country it lives in, has many more success stories ahead to contribute to Türkiye and our bilateral relations.

Deputy Secretary General at DEİK, Merih KEPEZ