The US Chamber of Commerce has opened an office in Istanbul to aid its regional efforts and help enhance the workings of its US-Turkey Business Council.

At an official ceremony, the US Chamber’s executive vice president and head of International Affairs Myron Brilliant and the Union of Chambers; and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) president Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu signed a memorandum of understanding to maintain the Chamber’s regional office on TOBB’s premises, and provide a framework for strategic cooperation between the US and Turkish Chambers.

Brilliant said: “It has been a ground breaking year for the commercial relationship between the US and Turkey, and the opening of the US Chamber’s office demonstrates our commitment to build upon the successes of the past 12 months.”

He added: “Turkey’s position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East makes it a vital commercial hub that American companies are eager to engage. The US-Turkey relationship has yet to achieve its full potential, which creates a huge opportunity. That’s why the US Chamber wants to be on the ground, exploring opportunities to collectively grow our private sectors.”

The US Chamber will also host a technology forum for the Middle East Commercial Centre (Mecc) on November 19-20. The event formally launches the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Venture Network, a platform to bring together venture capitalists, investors, entrepreneurs, and other leaders across the region in the start-up community. The Mena Venture Network will help drive the development of information and communications technology innovation in the region, and explore the Middle East as a possible hub for technology and entrepreneurship.
 
The US-Turkey Business Council is comprised of more than 40 of the most prominent US investors in Turkey, the Council focuses on deepening the trade and investment relationship between the two countries, and builds on a long-standing partnership with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the American Business Forum in Turkey (ABFT), and the Turkish-American Business Association (Taba).
 
The US Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The US Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad. – TradeArabia News Service