CONSUL GENERAL OUTREACH TO BURSA, TURKEY

UNCLAS ISTANBUL 000733

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV TU
SUBJECT: CONSUL GENERAL OUTREACH TO BURSA, TURKEY



1. (U) Summary: The Consul General traveled May 2-3, 2006 to
Bursa -- Turkey,s fourth largest city and one of its most
dynamic commercial centers with important textile and
automobile manufacturing -- to address a conference on
globalization and entrepreneurship. In addition to meeting
with the Governor and Mayor and speaking to the press, CG
Jones met with representatives of U.S. firms in the region,
visited the American Corner, spoke with local TV and print
media, and met with academics from Bursa,s Uludag
University. End Summary.

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Local Politicians
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2. (SBU) With Governor Canpolat, the CG discussed Bursa,s
economic growth, the environmental challenges it faces, and
the U.S. commercial presence. The Governor complained that
Turkish business people traveling to the U.S. should be
treated in the same way as U.S. business people traveling to
Turkey. The CG replied that Turkish business people are
welcome in the U.S., and offered to send representatives from
the consular section to Bursa to explain and clarify visa
procedures.


3. (SBU) In a wide-ranging meeting with local AKP Mayor Sahin
(a graduate of Baghdad University),the CG noted Cargill,s
contribution to the local economy and encouraged U.S.
participation in Bursa,s light-rail project. She also noted
earlier EXIM bank financial offerings for California-based
Earth Tech company participation in the project. The Mayor
deferred to the Treasury on the matter of project funding,
but generally welcomed U.S. participation and asked about
larger U.S. involvement in the region.

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Commercial and Academic Contacts
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4. (U) Prior to meeting with local officials, the CG lunched
with Galip Sukaya, Managing Director of Earth Tech, a leading
U.S. company in the region and manager of the Bursa
light-rail project. In subsequent press interviews with
local TV and print media, Jones emphasized the importance of
such economic ties between U.S. firms and Bursa. In addition
to responding to a series of questions, the CG highlighted
Cargill's contribution to economic growth in the region,
expressed interest in further developing the commercial
relationship between Turkey and the U.S., and mentioned the
Fulbright program. She also met with leading academics from
Uludag University, and discussed the broader context of
U.S.-Turkey relations.

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Outreach and Message
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5. (U) The highlight of the visit was a speech on
globalization and entrepreneurship at the Bursa Chamber of
Commerce and Industry,s "4th Conference on
Entrepreneurship." Before an audience of around 400-500
business people, press, and students (future entrepreneurs),
the CG described how the benefits of globalization exceed its
costs, and how Turkey would benefit by continuing to open its
business sectors to outside investment and expertise. Other
speakers noted how the success of their firms underscores
Turkey's positive economic conjuncture, with one panelist
commenting that Turkey's economy has grown by 30% over the
last five years. Follow-on questions from the audience were
all directed at the CG, who reiterated the U.S. position on
E.U. accession and the possibility of Turkish entrepreneurial
development in times of turbulence in neighboring Iraq and
Iran. During the conference, the CG visited the American
Corner, also housed in the Bursa Chamber of Commerce, and
spoke with its Coordinator on how to expand outreach
operations.
JONES