Cebu-Turkey Trade Relations Explored

The ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Philippines Esra Cankorur, met with officers and members of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) last June 7, 2014 to explore possible trade relations between Cebu and Turkey.

The meeting was arranged by Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines for 25 years from 1986 to March 2011 to the following countries: Singapore, South Korea, Brazil, Canada, India and China.

Ambassador Cankorur’s visit was primarily to know more about the culture and the people of Cebu and explore economic partnerships with the business community of Mandaue and Cebu.

During the meeting, Mandaue Chamber’s representatives, including MCCI President Philip Tan, MCCI Past President Eric Ng Mendoza, Vice President Carmel De Pio Salvador, Marylou and Eric Ang, Alice Uy and MCCI’s Executive Director Marlene Bedia exchanged information with Ambassador Cankorur on possible products that can be brought to Cebu from Turkey.

According to Ambassador Cankorur, the Republic of Turkey is the 17th biggest economy in the world.

The trade volume between Turkey and Philippines amounted to US$ 306 million in 2012. In the same year, the Philippines was Turkey’s 99th export partner and 79th import partner.

Turkey’s exports to the Philippines amounted to US$ 148 million with an increase of 47 percent from 2011. The top export products were in the categories of wheat and flour, cereal preparations, tobacco, metal, textile yarn, fabrics; made-up articles, medicinal and pharmaceutical products.

On the other hand, Turkey’s imports from Philippines totalled US$ 158 million in 2012 with an increase of 29 percent from 2011. The top import products were in the categories of transport equipment, electrical machines, apparatus and appliances, office machinery, automatic data-processing equipment, vegetables and fruit, and rubber.

In recent years, enhanced economic and commercial relations paved the way for the Philippine business circles to increase their interest in the Turkish economy.

Last year, Mandaue Chamber and Malatya Active Businessmen’s Association (MAKIAD) in Turkey signed a protocol of cooperation to strengthen the economic and trade ties between the Philippines and Turkey.

Under the agreement, the two chambers will take opportunities to expand trade, economic, scientific, and technological cooperation; exchange information about commerce, industry and economy; and assist each other’s members in establishing and strengthening business contact through various events, among others.

The cooperation was signed in Turkey by MAKIAD President Alper Gurbuz and MCCI’s Internal Vice President, Carmel De Pio-Salvador.