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For Immediate Release: June 29, 2010
Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
Under Secretary SÁnchez Announces Formation of U.S.-Turkey Business Council
Council is Recruiting Members to Work Toward the Advancement of Commercial Ties
WASHINGTON – Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez today launched the newly formed U.S.-Turkey Business Council (Council) and announced that applications for membership are now being accepted. The Council will bring together U.S. and Turkish business leaders to provide policy recommendations to both governments jointly on ways to strengthen bilateral economic relations.
“The United States and Turkey enjoy a growing commercial relationship, and this Council provides a great opportunity for our two nations to define and discuss issues that can enhance bilateral commercial relations,” Sánchez said. “Turkey is an important market for U.S. goods and services, and can play a key role in helping us achieve President Obama’s goal of doubling exports in the next five years.”
In 2009, trade between Turkey and the United States amounted to nearly $11 billion. The United States has a positive trade balance with Turkey, its 28th largest export market.
Sánchez and his Turkish counterpart, Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Ahmet Yakici, will serve as Council co-chairs. The Council features two Sections, each of which will be comprised of 10-12 private sector members that represent the views and interests of their respective business communities.
Section members are expected to be senior-level executives of small, medium-, and large-sized private-sector companies from a variety of industries that have demonstrated a strong interest in business and economic cooperation between the United States and Turkey. Section members are expected to serve a two-year term.
The Council is expected to have its inaugural meeting in October 2010.
To apply for Council membership, please visit the Federal Register Notice site at http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/PDFgate.cgi?WAISdocID=KNGBSW/9/2/0&WAISaction=retrieve. Applications are being accepted through July 22.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) improves the global business environment and helps U.S. companies and workers compete at home and abroad. For additional information on ITA or the Council’s Terms of Reference, please visit www.trade.gov###
International Trade Administration
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