Texas Turkish-American Chamber of Commerce

Fort Bend County Economic Development team met with the trade delegation of Adana, Turkey organized by TTACC. Mr. Jack Belt Executive Vice President at Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, Allison Wen and Beth Wolf, Co Chairs of Global Initiatives Committee at Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council made a brief presentation describing the potential investment areas for the Fort Bend County.

A Turkish based company Borusan had its grand breaking ceremony by Minister of Economy of Turkey. The company has decided to bring 150 million dollars of investment to Houston. Borusan is one of the largest companies in Turkey in terms of iron and steel pipes for energy companies.

TTACC Austin in partnership with Austin Chamber of Commerce, Turkish Consulate in Houston and Turkish Ministry of Economy organized the biggest Business Forum between Austin and Turkey with 300 attendees. TTACC has been represented by President Tarik Celik and also regional director Mr. Ali Riza Apil. Minister of Econmy of Turkey Hon. Zafer Caglayan gave a long speech underlining the growth of the Turkish economy and why they should improve the trade between Texas and Turkey and Austin in specific. The organization brought all of the major companies to the table to explore the opportunities.

A trade delegation from Adana, Turkey has paid a visit to TTACC to thank President Tarik Celik for facilitating the partner city agreement between Adana Metropolitan City and City of Houston. he delegation lead by Deputy Mayor of Adana Metropolitan city and Mayor of Saricam which is the center district in Adana province. Mr. Aldirmaz was impressed with the new headquarter of the TTACC and indicated that this relationship is key for Adana and Houston to increase the trade relationship especially in areas of Health and Energy since Adana is the leading city in southern Turkey in both of those industries.

Mr. Mehmet Hazirlar, a TTACC member has donated two full equipped ambulances to Syria. Mr. Hazirlar has a company called Metco doing business in health wanted to help the people in Syria by donating the ambulances. Mr. Hazirlar is originally from Antakya which is a nearby city in Turkey to Syria. He pointed our that people in Syria needs our help and I felt that I should do my part donating two ambulances.

TTACC facilitated the meeting between Governor Perry and Minister Caglayan after a successful business forum in Austin. Both leaders expressed the importance of such a visit and also vitality of having direct flight between Houston and Istanbul. Governor Perry talked about his memories in Turkey and would be happy to go back for another visit after an official invitation from Minister of Turkish Economy, Zafer Caglayan.

TTACC facilitated a Partner City Agreement between the Metropolitan City of Adana and the City of Houston. Adana and Houston continued discussing this issue for some time which resulted in the partnership agreement. Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zihni Aldirmaz and Mayor Edward Gonzalez signed the agreement.