International Investors Association (YASED), the major representative of the leading investors of the world in Turkey, held an international conference entitled, “The New World Order and Turkey” on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its founding.

The conference participated by the global executives of the leading corporations of the world commenced with the opening addresses of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Ali Babacan and YASED Chairman Piraye Antika. Turkey’s previous progress and its vision and strategy for the future as a major investment point of the world were debated in the two sessions of the conference with the participation of all the related parties.

In her speech, YASED Chairman Piraye Antika said, “The fundamental mission of our Association is the improvement of the business and investment environment in Turkey. To this end, YASED is giving efforts to employ the best practices in the world for the development of our country, by benefiting from the experiences and relationships of its member companies and executives. The direct investment of our members in Turkey has increased incrementally during the last 30 years. We, as YASED, consider that we have contributed – even if just a bit - to the breathtaking leap Turkey’s economy has accomplished in this period, by means of the works we have carried out for the improvement of the investment environment, and we are proud of this feat. Turkey has transformed into an outward-oriented economy, which has integrated with the globalizing world economy on account of the liberal policies implemented particularly during the last 30 years; and during this process YASED, while contributing to the efforts given for increasing the direct investment inflows to our country, was credited by the public and the business world because of its activities, from which not only its members but all investors - domestic and foreign alike - benefited. Since our founding, YASED managements have taken the initiative in all areas for the making of a world-conforming business environment, and have proactively given considerable support for the taking of the necessary steps for the improvement of the investment environment. The fact that YASED is regarded today as an effectual, reliable and added-value generating business partner by all the circles it maintains relationships with, such as the business world, the representatives of international organizations and the public institutions, certainly gives us additional satisfaction.” 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Ali Babacan took the podium after Chairman Antika. In his speech Babacan said; “The consequence of international investment for Turkey is indisputable. YASED has a great mission concerning the promotion of Turkey overseas with all its potential. YASED has assumed an important role for Turkey during the last 30 years with the works it has accomplished with regard to international investment and is maintaining it. “

Minister Babacan pointed out that while debt stocks and budget deficits increased in the world, Turkey had pulled away from the crisis thanks to its strong finance sector and powerful political stance. The Minister underlined that Turkey’s influential role on the world gained significance as the distribution of economic powers on the world changed. Minister Babacan mentioned that no risks were being foreseen for Turkey as long as confidence and stability prevailed in the country. The Minister called also attention to the fact that the share of companies with international capital within Turkey’s top 500 industrial companies was 30% and that these corporations contributed to Turkey’s economy with their 48% share in country’s exports. Minister Babacan finally mentioned that turning Istanbul to an official financial center was among the goals of the government in the term ahead.

Turkey’s Position in Global Capital Flows

The speakers of the first session, moderated by former YASED Chairman and TEB Chairman Yavuz Canevi were, CEO of ING Bank Wilfred Nagel, Vice President of Renault Michel Gornet, Board Member of Novartis Alexander F. Jetzer-Chung, CEO of Coca-Cola İçecek Michael A. O’Neill, and Chairman of Turcas Erdal Aksoy, and the guest speaker of the session was the first Chairman of YASED Erdoğan Karakoyunlu.

Turkey as a Production and Service Base

The second session was moderated by the former Vice Governor of the Central Bank of Turkey Ercan Kumcu, and the speakers were CEO of Toyota Turkey Orhan Özer, CEO of Unilever Turkey İzzet Karaca, Senior Partner of PwC Turkey Adnan Nas and General Manager of Nortel Netaş Müjdat Altay.