Companies struggling in Europe’s debt-ridden economies look to Turkey for salvation. A delegation consisting of Italy’s leading industrialists under the organization of Confindustria took a trip to Turkey last week to seek partnership and cooperation opportunities, as well as to prepare ground for a larger gathering in May, the Turkish-Italian Business Forum.

Thirteen representatives from Confindustria led by Paolo Zegna visited Turkey’s various business bodies; the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD), the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) and the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) for cooperation in the machinery, food, consumer goods, construction-infrastructure and banking sectors. Turkish-Italian partnerships for dealing with projects in third country markets were also on the table.

Last week’s preparatory meetings will be followed by the Turkish-Italian Business Forum with a much larger attendance. Some 60 Italian companies are expected to take part in the forum, which is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on May 2-3.

The trade volume between Turkey and Italy reached USD 17 billion in 2011. Over 900 Italian companies are active in Turkey.

Source : Star