OUTREACH TO TURKISH NON-GOVERNMENTAL

UNCLAS ANKARA 000730 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/TPP/MTA/MST - JESSAMYN ALLEN DEPT PASS USTR FOR SARAH BOVIM/LISA ERRION COMMERCE FOR ITA/ASHLEY MILLER AND EDWARD DUNN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD KTEX TU SUBJECT: OUTREACH TO TURKISH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ON SECTORAL INITIATIVES IN THE WTO Ref: STATE 17086 Not for Internet Distribution. ¶1. Ref A requested information on private sector organizations which might have an interest in a sectoral initiative within the non-agricultural market access (NAMA) negotiating framework in the WTO. While there are a number of Turkish industries (especially the apparel, leather, tile, glassware) with an interest in seeing tariff reductions in the U.S. and other export markets, they may not be strong supporters of a WTO initiative in their sectors because of the EU customs union. Turkish industries enjoy an enormous competitive advantage in the EU market as a result of the customs union's zero tariff on virtually all industrial goods. A sectoral deal could thus benefit them in non-EU markets but neutralize Turkey's advantage in Europe. The Turkish apparel industry, for example, has been a strong advocate, together with its U.S. counterpart and others, for protectionism in its sector following the end of the quota system last month. ¶2. That said, it may be worth approaching several Turkish business chambers to gauge their interest in sectoral liberalization. Three prime candidates would be: -- the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (Tusiad),Mesrutiyet Cad. 74, 80050 Tepebasi, Istanbul, Turkey; Contact: Haluk Tukel, Secretary General, +90 212 249 11 31. SIPDIS -- TOBB - Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges ( Ataturk Bulvari, 149 06640, Bakanliklar, Ankara, Turkey; Contact: Ali Emre Yurdakul, Deputy Secretary General, tel. 90 312 413 82 SIPDIS 12, DEIM@TOBB.org.tr -- TIM - Turkish Exporters Union, Dis Ticaret Kompleksi B Blok, Kat:9, Cobancesme Mevkii, Sanayii caddesi, Yeni Bosna, Istanbul, Turkey. Contact: Seda Lafci, Deputy Secretary General, tel. 90 212 454 04 71, ¶3. Embassy or Consulate personnel would be happy to initiate a dialogue with these organizations if Washington agencies concur. Edelman