After hosting a delegation of Turkish business representatives and businessmen in Baton Rouge in April, Mayor-President Melvin "Kip" Holden  met with a large group  businessmen in Houston as the guest ofTexas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce.

Holden  addressed TTACC, a Houston based organization of 200 businessmen with ties to businesses in Turkey and who also operate businesses in the Houston area. Mayor talked to the group has expressed an interest in working with Mayor Holden to both establish connections with businesses in Turkey and possibly expand Houston based operations into the Baton Rouge area. The group is dedicated to advancing and promoting interaction between American and Turkish people and businesses.

Mayor called all businessmen to invest in BR,or trade with BR businessmen.
"For Baton Rouge to become a global city, we want to strengthen  our ties with international business representatives," Holden said.  "We signed a sister city agreement with Malatya in April, "We've had a lot of interest among our local companies in the business opportunities that exist in Turkey.   The friendships we are developing will help both cities - that's the goal of a successful sister city agreement."

The Mayor attended a breakfast meeting at the residence of the Consul General and visit the Cosmos Foundation which operates charter schools in the Houston.

Holden met businessmen in luncheon, the two discussed introducing Baton Rouge businesses to opportunities with business and manufacturing interests in Turkey.