Turkish businessmen from many countries in Europe met in Brussels at a conference organized jointly with European Turkish Business Confederation (UNITEE) and The Liberal Group of European Parliament.  European officials showed great interest in the conference and Turkish business world was praised.European Turkish Business Confederation (UNITEE), which is an umbrella organization of 52 associations and 6 federations operating in 15 countries in Europe, came together with its members under the roof of the European Parliament.

European officials stressed that   businessmen from Turkey in Europe is seen as a bridge between Turkey and Europe. As a moderator of the conference Hans van Baalen, President of Liberal International, and the European Parliament member from the Netherlands mentioned enterprising spirit of  businessmen from Turkey and he stated that “It does not matter where entrepreneurs come from, what matters is if they contribute or not to the society they live in”. And he added that Turkish Businessmen  provide great contributions to the community they live in. He thanked UNITEE for organizing such an important conference. Referring to the process of the European Union membership, the Dutch Parliamentary said that he believes the end of the process would be positive for Turkey.President of UNITEE, Adem Kumcu said that: “Now Europe is our and we are Europe’s future.” He emphasized the importance of businessmen from Turkey to Europe.  He expressed that UNITEE has more than two thousand members of the highly educated professionals and about 10,000 businessmen from 15 different countries in Europe.  Every Turkish businessman doing business in Europe plays a huge role in  the future of Europe. This group is providing solutions to the social and economic problems of EU which is currently in distress. Kumcu by saying  ”Europe was our hope yesterday, but today we are Europe’s hope.” voiced the urgent and severe need to a dynamic Turkish business community.

Belgian State Minister of Finance and the Mayor of Schaarbeek which is known as  ’Turkish Quarter’,  Bernard Clerfayt mentioned that all the immigrant Turks who came to Belgium in 1960s has actually been entrepreneurs. Clerfayt provided detailed information and statistics about Turks in Brussels and stressed to the growing number of entrepreneurs from Turkey. He said “ today an increase in the number of non-Belgian entrepreneurs is higher than the increase in Belgian ones”. Neighbor praises Turkey. Greek-born Yorgo Chatzimarkakis, representative of Germany in the European Parliament started his speech in Turkish. He said “The first generation  came to Europe to work, but new Turkish generation in Europe is here for medium-and large-scale investments. Right now  there is state bankruptcy in Greece, but in contrast in Turkey we see a functioning state”. Extraordinary interest to the conference. At the conference in the European Parliament president of European Turkish Business Confederation (UNITEE) Adem Kumcu, Green member of EU parliament Isabelle Durant, European Union, the Liberal Parliamentarians Hans van Baalen, Toine Manders and Jorgo Chatzimarksasis, Minister of State for finance of the Federal Government of Belgium Bernard Clerfayt, from cabinet of Commission member  Maire Geoghegan’s investment and research experts David Harmons and Olivier Chastels, consultant Philippe Benoit took part as a speaker. Businessmen  from many countries in Europe such as  Belgium, Netherland, England, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland took part at the conference. Businessmen from Belgian Federation of Active Entrepreneurs (BETİAD), Netherlands Federation of Young Businessmen (HOGIAF), France Entrepreneurs and Managers Association (FEDIF), Norwegian Businessmen Association (NHF), Danish Turkish Business Federation(DATİFED), Germany Entrepreneurial Businessmen Federation (BUV), British-Turkish Business Network (BizNet) showed great interest to the conference as well.  Norwegian Turkish Chamber of Commerce Chairman Kemalettin Suslu found the conference very efficient, effective for the turkish enterpreneurs in Europe. He also  mentioned that he will share experiences gained in Brussels with the members of the chamber who did not attend the program.

Posted by Administrator on Sunday, January 6th, 2013 @ 7:02PM
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