By Emb Hashmi
The IAB hosted an enlightening meeting with Askon of Turkey, an organisation that has similar values and objectives to the institute of Asian Businesses.
The meeting introduced Askon and their work to the attendees, and Mr Bahadir secretary general of Askon and Mr Aydin chief commercial counsellor of the Birmingham Turkish embassy where both very grateful to have the opportunity to meet with the IAB and hoped for a stronger working bond to develop and grow between the two organisations.
Askon (Association of Anatolian Businessman) is a Turkish based civil society that brings together entrepreneurs around key common goals and social aims, especially those who believe in the construction of economic and social development.
One of the key principles of Askon is the belief that businessmen are the leading group for social and economic development. Which will than have a knock on positive effect on the economy, boasting employment and prosperity.
If any joint interest bond was merged it would entitle Askons more than 3,000 members and the hundreds of IAB members to have the opportunity to develop their businesses relations and even develop a new customer basis.
Asian World spoke to both Mr Aydin and Mr Askon about what they hope to achieve by uniting with the IAB and Asian businesses generally.
Mr Bahadir told the attendees that he can easily direct IAB members and other businesses to any potential business contact in Turkey from construction to textile to machinery companies as these are there strongest industries. He emphasised that the textile industry is one of the biggest in Turkey and they are excellent in facilitating this particular market from source to end product.
The president of the IAB Mr Nasir Awan told attendees of the meeting that over the past few months he has had many meeting with Mr Tankut who has put him in touch with many businesses in Turkey and now he is doing business in Turkey for the first time.
Mr Bahadir explained that although Askon is a very male dominated organisation they do have subsidiaries specifically for woman and they encourage woman to start and grow their businesses, so much so there are government incentives to further encourage female entrepreneurs.
According to Mr Aydin in the past ten years Turkey has seen a surge in foreign investment as many investors find it a safe and stable market to do business in and that there is approximately 3,000 UK companies who have made investments in Turkey. He also said “there is a lot of government led investment incentives for new businesses and that there is no discrimination in foreign or domestic businesses they are all treated equally.
Both of the Turkish guests ended by emphasising that Turkey is the gateway for around four billion of the world’s population as it has very strong logistics which makes it an attractive place for the business world.
