Nearly 30 Hi-Tech firms from Israel came to Istanbul for 2 days. In the organization supported by both Israeli and Turkish governments, Israeli firms expect to find clients whom they will be partner with, or sell their products to. It is also noted that the meeting aiming to help Israeli businessmen enlarge their market, is not limited with Istanbul/Turkey and has been held and will be held in other countries as well.
Susan Tarablus, of Israeli attaché of Trade in Istanbul said this meeting had been held 4-5 times previously by Israel Consulate on his own efford, in some sectors such as telecom and agriculture, however, owing to some difficulties of their governmental budget, it is being the first time this meeting is held by private sector. Tarablus continued:
Ilana is owner of a private sector company. It is a consultancy company. It is carrying out this meeting on coat-tails of the Government and the Ministry. It has done this before in other countries as well. Rome and Sofia will be the next ones after Istanbul.
I am on side of supporting private sector during such a period when government budgets have difficulties. In the extent that, it should be matching the needs and the order of the country.
Turkish firms and Israeli firms in seek, discover each other in this meeting. However, our function is limited with making them gathered. It is their business to go beyond it.
We make nearly 20% increase of business volume between Turkey and Israel every year. In this respect, I want to remind that Israel and Turkey are natural allies. Two countries are either in a leading position of their region and sole democracies. That is why I believe that the cooperation to be made and the increase in business volume will bring ease and peace to the region.
Such cooperation can be in ways of one to one trade of goods or mergers in type of joint venture or mutual investments or tender or, the most important of all, cooperation intended to a Third country.
We support cooperation between two countries, as long as it is efficient.
Organizer of the meeting, which is held by private sector for the first time, is a Israeli businesswoman Ilana Kapitolnik. Regarding the activity, Kapitonik, the General Manager of Globus Gate Group, says:
Israeli firms want to know and enter new markets. Turkey is an attractive and a friendly market for such firms.
Those who attended the meeting from Israel side are highly important firms. There are even ones whose shares are being traded in Nasdaq. Most of them are in a leader position at their sectors. Such as Vocaltec. They are all telecom firms, and there are some firms of industry of defense. Total number of attending firms is 30.
This year’s meeting is the first one organized in such a big size and by acquiring support. As you already know, Israeli President and Minister of Trade and Turkish Minister of Transport directly support the meeting.
By now, some of the firms in Here are the firms, which already make business with Turkey, but they intend to improve their business even more. Others have their first time in Turkey. They are also aiming at getting into the Turkish market. Their negotiation schedule is extremely busy.
This meeting will come round in following years also. Saving Turkey, we will perform the same meeting again in November in Sofia / Bulgaria and in future years in Rome / Italy. Technology of Israeli firms on new subjects such as wireless, VoIP is very strong.
Israeli and Turkish sides are either glad of this meeting. We consider that some cooperation will arise. Historically, we are two familiar governments anyway. Besides, our mentalities are similar and we are able to conduct cooperation.
Moshe Faran, Sales Manager of Veraz, one of the firms joining the meeting, said;
We have been working in Turkey since 1987. We sell compression products to Turk Telekom. These products are proving bandwidths, which are expensive, to be utilized efficiently. We are also carrying out a big project is Eastern Turkey aiming to connect all villages and the region to Ankara and other cities. Quality of our products is undisputed.
The reason we attend this meeting is variation of clients because of the developing telecom sector. New opportunities and potentials will rise. There are newly born companies in your country.
We also have new products. New generation IP based systems for instance. It is much cheaper, efficient, flexible. Its service is of high quality.
We believe that it is the right time for the market of Turkey. I am working with countries other than Turkey, such as India, as well. In this respect I am able to make a comparison. Turkey is a great country in issues of telecom and its transaction volumes is going to get higher. Technology changes quickly.
There is a situation similar to hesitation, when it comes to liberalization. But we will wait and see what will happen by the time.
Meeting is going to continue tomorrow. By arranging appointments in advance, firms negotiate with other firms and discuss the opportunities.