The Forum Business Connect program was organized by the Turkish Business Connect club with the aim of mapping the region and highlighting its opportunities and future goals for businesspeople from Russian-speaking countries considering investment. The first session of Forum Business Connect, held in Mersin for the fifth time after Antalya, Alanya, and Istanbul, was attended by Ayhan Kızıltan, Chairman of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and President of the Mersin Assembly and Association of Tourism Operators (MERTID). President Hamit Izol, Mersin Free Zone CEO Edvar Mam, and Russian and Ukrainian businesspeople attended the event. The all-day forum concluded with three sessions. In the first session, MCCI Chairman Ayhan Kızıltan presented information on Mersin's economic and social opportunities, while Parliament Speaker Hamit Izol spoke about the tourism industry, opportunities, and expectations of Mersin. Mersin Free Zone CEO Edvar Mum spoke about the free zone's potential and investment opportunities. SDEK Turkey Deputy CEO for Franchise Development Karina Vidyagina discussed importer support programs in the CIS countries. MTSO Project Manager Fevzi Filik discussed foreign and Turkish capital. The partnership between the two companies culminated in a presentation of the forms. Kızıltan: "You're in the right place for investment." MTSO Chairman Ayhan Kızıltan began his speech with information about the history of Mersin. Noting that Mersin, with its roots in foreign trade, stands out for its logistics and agriculture, Kızıltan emphasized that it has one of the world's leading ports and that transportation to all parts of the world is possible thanks to its extensive fleet of vehicles, roads, and rail transport. Stating that all modes of transportation will be available in Mersin when Çukurova International Airport becomes operational at the end of the year, Kızıltan noted that Mersin is a leader in the production and export of many agricultural product groups, especially citrus and fresh fruits, as well as vegetables. Noting that the city has nine organized industrial zones, one of which is a specialized OIZ for agricultural products, Kızıltan also noted that the city's universities, vocational, and technical higher education institutions offer qualified personnel to investors. Stating that the city has a very extensive inland area, Kızıltan stated that investors who invest in Mersin will have easy access to both the country's important industrial regions and the Middle East and African markets. Speaking about the city's multicultural structure, Kızıltan said, "Mersin is a city that embraces everyone and where everyone can live comfortably. A city where everyone lives their own culture. It is an economically strong city with high investment opportunities. "For this reason, Mersin is a suitable city for investment and business," he said. İzol: "It's time to invest in Mersin tourism." MTSO Assembly President and MERTID President Hamit İzol explained the situation and potential of Mersin's tourism sector. Stating that Mersin has a rich history, İzol said, "Wherever you go, you'll find traces of history." Noting that Mersin is a city of peace and brotherhood, İzol said, "Muslims and Christians share the same cemetery here. For this reason, it's called the city of peace and brotherhood." İzol continued his speech, introducing the city's tourism hubs one by one: "Tourism will make great progress in the coming period thanks to the construction of the Çukurova International Regional Airport. Investment costs will also increase after the airport's operation. Therefore, if you're considering it, now is the time to invest in tourism in our city." Noting that there are two new tourism regions, one of which is Kargicik and the other is Bosak, where investments are ongoing, Izol stated that major investments have begun in Kargicik, where the private sector and the local government are working together. Stating that they could attract foreign investors to invest 4 billion Turkish lira, Izol provided information on the project details and stated that they could visit the region together as part of the next program and see it firsthand. Izol concluded: "Mersin is currently experiencing a very active period in tourism. Several projects have already begun and are ongoing. "The time has come to invest," he concluded.
This news was taken from the news site www.mersinportal.com. https://www.mersinportal.com/mersin/forum-business-connect-mersunu-toplandi-h74453.html
