Business mission to Turkey set

The Philippines is preparing to send a business mission to Turkey for exporters to scout opportunities in the fast-growing economy, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“As far as Philippine exporters are concerned, here is a new and emerging market that we should tap. We can export a lot of our agricultural products, furniture, house ware, Christmas decor, handicrafts, car components and parts,” Trade Undersecretary Cristino L. Panlilio said in a statement.

DTI said the mission would go to Ankara and Istanbul.

Recently the DTI, through the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion, co-organized a business forum in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Turkish Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. and the Embassy of Turkey in Manila to provide a networking venue in preparation for a business mission to Turkey on October 1 to 8.

Forty-four Philippine companies attended the forum, DTI said.

“We hope that they are putting the Philippines in the radar of Turkish businessmen and investors. We believe that we can put together an outbound mission composed of prominent business people. We will take care of the agenda and program. We will make sure that they will find the Philippines an investment destination of choice,” Panlilio said.

Turkey is the Philippines’ 42nd largest trading partner, DTI said. From 2007 to 2011, total trade between the Philippines and Turkey increased by 7.8 percent. Philippine exports to Turkey increased from 2009 to 2011. Total Philippine exports to Turkey amounted to $33.9 million in 2009, $61.88 million in 2010 and $66.37 million in 2011.