CHICAGO, IL – On Sunday, October 14, 2001, the Chicago Chapter of the Armenian General Benevolent Union hosted Kaan Soyak, co-chairman of the Turkish Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC). Mr. Soyak and Co-Chairman Arsen Ghazarian founded TABDC in 1997 in order to promote economic cooperation and trade between Turkey and Armenia, particularly at the border areas.
During his presentation to the Chicago Armenian community, Mr. Soyak described TABDC’s role in the development of cultural, academic and business programs between the two countries. He mentioned that TABDC has organized a number of exchanges involving Armenian and Turkish musicians, including concerts by Djivan Gasparian, Ohannes Chechichian and several Armenian doudouk groups in Istanbul, as well as a recent performance by the Ankara String Quartet in Yerevan. He also talked about the release of a joint CD by Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Aydin Esen called “TURAR.” On the subject of trade, Mr. Soyak stated that the closing of the Armenian-Turkish border has severely impaired businesses on both sides of the border. He discussed the importance of Armenia as a market for Turkish-made goods and as a link to the markets of Russia and the countries of Central Asia. Furthermore, Mr. Soyak described Armenia’s Soviet-era pre-eminence in such fields as energy distribution, textiles, cement production, information technology and electronics. He suggested that the potential exists to reestablish these industries for the benefit of Armenians and Turks alike. In addition, he stated that TABDC has been lobbying for all regional pipelines to pass through Armenia, such as Baku-Ceyhan, Azeri natural gas and Russian natural gas. Finally, he projected that the opening of borders and the resumption of business between Armenia and Turkey, including energy projects, would result in approximately $400 to $500 million worth of trade volume. TABDC also helped to facilitate reciprocal academic relationships among universities in Armenia and Turkey, such as Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara University and Yerevan State University. Recently, these universities have begun student exchange programs. TABDC is working hard on initiating direct contact between other Turkish and Armenian institutions and universities.
In addition, TABDC has helped to facilitate an important agreement between the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) and the Union of Armenian Architects regarding the restoration of Akhtamar Church. The ITO is presently working on drawings and permit processes. Furthermore, TABDC has organized visits of Armenian women parliamentarians to Turkey as well as the first visit of journalists from Turkey to Armenia. In the near future, Armenian businesswomen will be arriving in Istanbul to attend business conferences with Turkish businesswomen. After his presentation, Mr. Soyak answered a number of interesting questions from audience members. Also present at the event were the Honorable Lale Agusman, Vice Consul, Turkish Consulate General of Chicago, and Mehmet Celebi, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations. |
Akgün Medya