“TİM Trade Delegation to Houston” Opening Speech
(GHP - November 12, 2024)

Excellency Turkish Ambassador to the USA Mr. Sedat Önal,
Mr. John Cypher, (Vice President, GHP)
Mr. Ahmet GÜLEÇ, (Vice President, TİM)
Distinguished guests and participants,

I am truly honored to have the opportunity to address you on the occasion of Turkish Trade Delegation’s visit to Houston” organized by Turkish Exporters’ Union.

I am well confident that through this program, participating companies from both countries will use this unique opportunity to explore the untapped potential and establish connections and contracts with their counterparts.

Dear guests,

The long-standing partnership and cooperation between Türkiye and the USA, especially between Türkiye and Texas continue at an increasing pace in the fields of trade and investment. We aim to elevate the current partnership to higher levels with the contribution of businesspeople from both countries.

The volume of goods and services trade between our countries amounted to 39,2 billion dollars in 2023. The USA has already become the second largest export market for Turkish private sector.

We attach great importance to Texas because we know that Lone Star State is one of the most important gateways to enter the American market. Particularly Houston is among the American cities we deem important, taking into account its economic potential for Turkish products and companies.

Moreover, the Turkish diaspora living in Texas has been a positive force in the drive for increasing the economic and commercial relations between Türkiye and Texas.

We have seen the positive trend in our bilateral trade in the last couple of years. Last year, Türkiye’s export to Texas was 1,7 billion dollars, while Türkiye’s import from Texas reached 2,6 billion Dollars from Texas. This made a total volume of 4,3 billion Dollars. We also witness a remarkable increase this year’s trade volume between Türkiye and Texas. While it was 2,8 billion Dollars in the first eight months of the last year, it already reached 3,4 billon Dollars in the same period of this year. This figure indicates a 21% rise in comparison to last year, even though the global commercial trends show the signs of a potential recession this year.

Furthermore, the investment figures are increasing as well. In fact, Texas is becoming a hub and magnet for Turkish investments in the USA. Total investments of Turkish private sector to Texas already surpassed 1,1 billion dollars.

Distinguished participants,

Türkiye is major producer and exporter of a wide range of products and industrial goods; like machinery, auto parts, textile and clothing, jewelry, metal products, leather, furniture, food, marble just to name a few of them. We believe that such products pretty much correspond to Texas companies’ areas of interest.

Moreover, we can explore trade and investment opportunities in many different areas. In addition to traditional areas, high-tech industries like renewable energy, telecommunication, medical equipments, electrical vehicles, storage technologies, defense and digital technologies have great potential to bolster our cooperation.

Therefore, I want to underline Türkiye’s full commitment and desire to further develop bilateral trade and investment relations. To increase the trade volume, we need to strengthen our dialogue and open new channels between our respective business communities. I believe that this kind of gatherings perfectly serve this aim.

I also want to say that the Turkish Consulate and the Office of Commercial Attache are always ready and open to providing any assistance and guidance to Houstonian and Texan business circles with their future business plans in Türkiye.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) for collaborating with Turkish Exporters’ Union in organizing this program and providing their meeting rooms for the smooth functioning of B2B meetings. I should add that the Turkish Consulate General in Houston has excellent and very constructive relations with GHP. We very much appreciate the cooperation and support of GHP in facilitating our activities in Houston.

I wish everyone fruitful meetings. Thank you.