TURKISH INVESTORS IN PORTUGAL CONVENED WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SILVA IN DEİK

The Round Table Meeting with Augusto Santos Silva, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, held by DEİK/Turkey-Portugal Business Council, was organized on October 17, 2017 in Istanbul with the participation of DEİK/Turkey-Portugal Business Council Berna İlter, Paula Leal da Silva, the Ambassador of Portugal in Ankara and around 40 Turkish and Portuguese business world representatives.  

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal Santos Silva reminded that the countries trading within the frame of European Union and the economic conjuncture do not wage wars and fall in conflicts. Silva further stated that the businesspeople engaging in reciprocal investments reinforce and reiterate the amicable relations and friendships among countries. Silva further noted that the dialogue between Turkey and Portugal have gradually been increasing accordingly, the relations are increasing with each passing day and they welcome official visits of the Minister of European Union and Minister of Foreign Affairs from the Turkish Government that were realized recently. Silva also reminded that Portugal, through Turkey's perspective, is an advantageous destination in terms of exports and investments. Silva stated that European Union is a formation consisting of several but supplementary countries resulting in an advantage. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal Silva emphasized that Turkey, in the eyes of Europe, is considered as ‘the face of Europe towards Asia.' Silva further mentioned that they would like to establish permanent and consistent friendships with Asian business circles. Silva also reminded that Europe alone is not the centre of the world and the security of Russia, China, Africa and the Middle East is also required to be taken into consideration for the sustainability and continuation of the security and economic development of Europe. Stating that the economic relations and trading in particular proceed and develop through an accurate balance, Silva further emphasized that the incentives provided by the Turkish economy management to foreign investments also assumes a guiding role in investments of Portugal origin. Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Silva further noted that the geopolitical conjuncture is decretive in the investments done in Turkey. Silva, reminding that Portugal serves as a substantially convenient and favourable environment for start-up enterprises; significance is placed upon transfer of funds in terms of energy security. Silva further stated that differences also serve for supplementary purpose and this is required to be accurately practiced upon within economic and political relations accordingly.  

DEİK/Turkey-Portugal Business Council Berna İlter addressed that they are pleased for the participation of the executives of large-scale Turkish enterprises already invested and performing business activities and operations in Portugal. İlter, mentioning that they would articulate the distresses and suggestions of Turkish private sector representatives performing business activities in the country, stated that they hope that the new investment opportunities would also be pointed out within the scope of the meeting. İlter, stating that DEİK/Turkey-Portugal Business Council, founded in 1991, carries on its endeavours aiming to develop the economic relations between two countries, emphasized that they would aspire to develop the mutual investments in third countries and cooperation in each sector accordingly. İlter further reminded that they are very pleased with the steady increase in the number of enterprises doing business reciprocally in two countries with each passing day and that the private sector assumes a determining role in the economic relations. İlter also noted that the bilateral trade volume of 1.3 billion USD achieved in 2016 far from reflecting the true potential, that the social, political and cultural relations between both countries are on an advanced level and that they expect this potential to be reflected on the economic relations.

Potential investment opportunities specific to Portugal and the suggestions of Turkish private sector representatives currently operating in Portugal were also pointed out within the scope of the meeting.