|
 06.12.2009 3rd MED-ALLIA Forum
UBIFRANCE and the French Economic Department in Cairo, in partnership with the French Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (CCFE), invite your members to participate in the 3rd MED-ALLIA Forum that will be held in Cairo from the 6th to the 8th of December 2009.”
After the success of the two former editions in Casablanca (2007) and Tunis (2008), the objective of MED-ALLIA Cairo 2009 is to gather about 400 French and Egyptian companies in addition to Algerian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Libyan, Moroccan, Syrian, Tunisian and Turkish enterprises. The main identified sectors are : food processing industry, consumer goods, building utilities/decoration, trade, franchise, craft industry, energy, environment, ICT, industrial equipments, health and tourism.
You can have more information through;
ECONOMIC DEPARTMENT OF CAIRO
Contact : Ms.Natache Tempez / Commercial Attache
Phone : +20 02 27 39 35 20
Fax : +20 02 27 39 35 02
E-mail : natacha.tempez@missioneco.org
Web : www.med-allia.com
Kindly circulate this information among your interested members to participate 3rd MED ALLIA forum.
28.08.2009 THE VISIT OF ROMANIAN VICE-MINISTER FOR ECONOMY
On 28 August 2009, Gheorghe Marin Romanian Vice-Minister for Economy and SMEs, Iustin Preoteasa the counselor of the vice-minister, Adrian Enache Romanian Economic Counselor to Ankara and Cosmin Victor Lotreanu Romanian Consul General to Izmir visited Izmir Chamber of Commerce.
The Romanian delegation led by Mr. Marin was welcome by Ekrem Demirtaş the president of the executive board, Jak Eskinazi the vice-president of the executive board and Coşkun Yolgörmez the member of the executive board.
Mr. Marin told he attached a great importance to this visit because of being responsible for SMEs in Romania. He stated that Romania and Turkey were very good partner in terms of economy and both countries were then struggling against the negative effects of economic crisis. "The two countries have also good political relations", said Mr. Marin; "they can overcome the crisis by cooperating even stronger than ever".
Mr. Marin said that there were over 10 thousands Turkish businessmen and he suggested that the coordination between such a huge number of businessmen could be facilitated by gathering them under his ministry. He added that Romania was very pleased with Turkish investments and eager for increase the quantity of Turkish investors in Romania.
Mr. Marin pledged that he would personally deal with the issues, problems if any Turkish company has difficulties with bureaucratic procedures.
Mr. Demirtaş replied Mr. Marin with thanking for their visit and for their support to Turkish-Romanian business relations. He reminded that the two countries were very close each other in terms of both geography and history. He appreciated the high trade volume between two sides but found the volume still unsatisfactory. Mr. Demirtaş explained that at least a trade volume of $ 10 billion per year must be targeted for 2010.
After the visit, the delegation was invited to the lunch offered by IZTO in the honor of the Romanian delegation.
08.04.2009 THE INTRODUCTORY VISIT OF ROMANIAN CONSUL GENERAL TO IZMIR
Cosmin Victor Lotreanu the newly appointed Romanian Consul General to Izmir paid a visit to Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) on 8 April 2009. Mr. Lotreanu was welcome by Ekrem Demirtaş the president of the executive board, Jak Eskinazi the vice-president of the executive board and Necip Kalkan the president of the assembly of IZTO.
Mr. Lotreanu started his words with thanks for being accepted by IZTO. He said that he had worked as the protocol director in the Romanian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and he would spend his efforts to enhance the relations between Romania and Izmir region. He underlined the strong economic and commercial relations between two sides, and stated that Turkish businessmen exist in Romania with a great number and high quality.
Mr. Demirtaş rendered his thanks for Mr. Lotreanu and he said that he would enjoy working with such a young and dynamic Consul he had ever seen. "I attach a special importance to Romania and I have visited many times Romania since I became president in 1992", said Mr. Demirtaş. He pointed that Romania is a country of opportunities for Turkish businessmen. He also indicated that in the Balkan region Romania was the biggest and the most important partner of Turkey. "There are more than 10 thousands Turkish businessmen operating in various sectors", he added.
Mr. Lotreanu replied Mr. Demirtaş with confirmation and presented his thanks. He also said that he is ready to actively participate in the efforts in the purpose of developing economic, commercial and cultural relations between two countries.
17.03.2009 VISIT TO THE GERMAN GENERAL CONSULATE TO IZMIR
Ekrem Demirtaş the president of the executive board, Akın Kazançoğlu and Jak Eskinazi the vice-presidents of the executive board, Mehmet Pamuk and Hüseyin Payzin the members of the executive board and Necip Kalkan the president of the assembly of Izmir Chamber of Commerce paid a visit to the German General Consulate to Izmir on 17 March 2009.
This was the first visit of Izmir Chamber of Commerce delegation to the German Consulate since the consulate had moved from Kordon coast to Balçova district.
Stefan Schneider the German Consul General to Izmir thanked Mr. Demirtaş and his delegation for this visit and congraluated Mr. Demirtaş for his victory in the chamber elections. Mr. Schneider said that the victory obviously implied the contentment and the trust of the companies in Izmir to the Demirtaş Administration.
Mr. Schneider emphasized that the cooperation was one of the most important things, especially during economic crises. Mr. Schneider explained he would support to organize events such as conferences, seminars, road-shows, etc. where IZTO and other important institutions of Izmir participate in the purpose of flourishing cooperation between Izmir and Germany.
Mr. Demirtaş agreed him and said that the priority of IZTO was to try to prevent his members from being negatively affected by the current economic crisis. He reminded that Turkey's export had decreased 35% and import 45% since the economic crisis appeared. Mr. Demirtaş stated that Turkish government should take measures against the crisis as soon as possible.
Izmir is not well known among Germans, told Mr. Schneider. He added that there was a great potential both for Izmir and Germany, but it must be activated through comprehensively promoting Izmir and Aegean Region in Germany. He indicated that German companies would be interested in getting to know about Izmir.
Mr. Demirtaş underlined that it was crucial to promote Izmir and Aegean Region to foreigners, and he said that IZTO would continue to work on promoting the region.
After the visit to the consulate, IZTO delegation invited Mr. Schneider to the Izmir University of Economics and the lunch offered by IZTO.
17.02.2009 THE FAREWELL VISIT OF ROMANIAN CONSUL GENERAL TO IZMIR
About to terminate his mission, Mircea Neata the Romanian Consul General to Izmir, paid a visit to the Izmir Chamber of Commerce on 17 February 2009 to bid farewell.
Mr. Neata was welcome by Ekrem Demirtaş, the president of the executive board of Izmir Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Neata congratulated Mr. Demirtaş for his victory in the chamber elections and added that the result was not surprise.
He also thanked Mr. Demirtaş for his support for improving the commercial, economic and cultural relations between Romania and Izmir.
Mr. Neata concluded his words with his gratitudes and invited Mr. Demirtaş to Romania for a visit as soon as possible.
Mr. Neata showed a great performance during his 4.5-year mission in Izmir and gained the affection of Izmir people, told Mr. Demirtaş. Mr. Demirtaş also pointed that he was very active as a consul and played an important role in inviting lots of top level people from Romania such as mayors, governors to Izmir.
Mr. Demirtaş presents his thanks to Neata and stated that the Izmir Chamber of Commerce will progressively support for developing the relations between two countries.
22.09.2008 VISIT OF BELARUSSIAN DELEGATION TO OUR CHAMBER
The Belarussian Delegation visited the President of the Executive Board of our Chamber Mr. Ekrem Demirtaş on the August 26, 2008.
Mr. Demirtaş indicated that our Chamber has been having close relations with Belarus since year 2001. For instance, a business trip was organized to Minsk on 11-14 November 2003.
Mr. Demirtaş indicated that there are lots of sectors for cooperation between the two countries.During the meeting, Deputy Generel Director of the Gomel Branch of the Belarussian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms. Klaudia Konovalenko indicated that the trade between the two countries is low. Konovalenko invited Turkish businessmen to Gomel.
Mr. Demirtaş and Ms. Konovalenko discussed various cooperation opportunities between the two countries.
22.09.2008 VISIT OF THE UZBEKISTAN DELEGATION TO OUR CHAMBER
Republic of Uzbekistan Delegation, Undersecretary of Uzbekistan Embassy Mr. Nadir Haşimov, Press and Publis Relations Advisor of Uzbekistan Embassy, Mr. Fahrettin Pariyev, Advisor of Uzeltechsanoat Company Mr. Jurat Vakhabov and Manager of Foreign Relations Department of Uzbekistan Uzqurilism Materialları JSC Mr. Bahodir Karimovich visited our Chamber on 27 August 2008.
The President of our Assembly, Mr. Necip Kalkan, Vice President of our Chamber Mr. Akın Kazançoğlu and Undersecretary of Uzbekistan Embassy Mr. Nadir Haşimov discussed various cooperation opportunities between the two countries.
22.09.2008 VISIT OF HASKOVO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
A business delegation from Bulgaria visited our Chamber on August 26, 2008. The delegation was headed by the President of Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yancho Yanev.The delegation made bilateral meetings with the local companies of İzmir.
Vice President of the Executive Board of our Chamber, Akın Kazançoğlu, stated that economic
cooperation between the two countries is not adequate, we have to improve our present economic potential by increasing the level of investment and foreign trade. At the end of his speech Kazançoğlu called the support of Bulgarians to invest in İzmir.
Yancho Yanev, President of Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, indicated that there are lots of economic sectors for cooperation between the two countries. However, taking visa is a serious problem for bilateral trade. At the end of his speech, Yancho Yanev invited Turkish businessmen to invest in Bulgaria.
03.10.2007 A WORLD WIDE WRITER WHO HAS FOUND HIS ROOTS IN IZMIR
 The famous French writer Marc Levy described himself as an Izmirian as his grand grand father Nesim Levy was the one who built the historical elevator in the city which is now one of the symbols of the city. Marc Levy and his fiancé Pauline Leveque was invited to Izmir by Izmir Chamber of Commerce for the 100th anniversary of the historical elevator. Marc Levy said he admired the city during his visit.
Izmir Chamber of Commerce hosted French writer Marc Levy for the 100th anniversary of the historical elevator which was built by the grand grand father of the writer. Levy who arrived Izmir on the 26 th of September, 2007 on Wednesday with his fiancé Pauline Leveque said he loved the overview of the city from the plane and that the city made him very excited. Levy had a detailed tour of the city on the 27th of September, 2007 on Thursday and the first stop of his tour was the hundred years old Karataş Jewish Hospital. This hospital has a special importance for the Levi family; the land which the hospital is built on was donated by Nesim Levi known for his charitable endowment. What captured Levy's attention the most during the visit of the hospital was the bust of Nesim Levi located at the main entrance of the hospital.
Marc Levy examined the bust in detail and stated that seeing his grand grand father's bust and being able to speak in front of the bust was great pleasure for him and made him very excited. Levy was able to meet and speak with the representatives of the Jewish Community in Izmir and learned a lot about his grand grand father during this visit. He took the addresses of all the people he spoke with and explained that he was very happy to learn about his roots. When he was invited to the floor for a speech he said "I do not know exactly what to say but I am very happy to be here". After Karataş Jewish Hospital, Levy visited Beth Israel Synagogue which is the biggest synagogue in Izmir.
I FIND EVERYTHING VERY LATE
The most meaningful and significant part of his visit was of course at the Historical Elevator. Levy stated that during his childhood he heard stories about the historical elevator from his relatives but he was late to search his roots and learn more. He said: "When I was a small child my teachers always told me that I was very slow. I now understand that they were right. I wrote my first novel when I was 39 years old. I waited until I was 46 to search for my roots. I hope I live long because I find everything late in my life". Levy said he heard so much from his relatives about Izmir and the Elevator since his childhood but he could not decide which ones were real and which were just legends. He said "I am very happy and proud that the story about Elevator was true". Levy thanked the President of the Executive Board of Izmir Chamber of Commerce Ekrem Demirtaş, who invited him to Izmir and stated that being in the city which his grandfathers and other ancestors were born was a great pleasure for him.
The Executive Board President of Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Ekrem Demirtaş stated that, with presence of Marc Levy they had the most meaningful celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Elevator. He said they were not aware of Marc Levy until recently but when Levy made public that he was the grandson of Nesim Levi, they invited him to Izmir. Demirtaş said that they tried to introduce Izmir and announced that they asked Marc Levy to be a volunteer for Izmir's candidacy to EXPO 2015. Demirtaş said they were excited to hear his response. Demirtaş said " It is very important for us to get the support of a world wide known writer whose roots are from Izmir for Izmir's candidacy to EXPO 2015. We are very glad that he accepted our invitation and we would like to thank him for that. We wish his visit to Izmir would become a routine and we hope that one day he would write a novel that would take place in Izmir and involve the Histrorical Elevator.
MY CITY
About becoming a volunteer of Izmir for EXPO 2015, Levy said: "I do not know exactly what I would do but I would be honored to do whatever I could for Izmir's candidacy to EXPO 2015. And when my friends would ask me why I was doing this I would say: Because Izmir is the city where I come from".
The Executive Board President of Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Ekrem Demirtaş gave Marc Levy the replica of the bust of Nesim Levi (the original bust is located at Karataş Jewish Hospital) and his fiance a silk shawl as a present. The resemblance between the bust of Nesim Levi and Marc Levy attracted the interest of the guests during the lunch given in the honor of Marc Levy.
HIS CHILDHOOD DREAM CAME TRUE
After lunch, Levy watched Izmir with a bird's eye view from Kadifekale (Pagos Heights), examined the graffiti's at the Archaic Market Place Agora, toured the Historical Kemeraltı Bazaar, had palace style special plain Turkish coffee at the coffee house located in the middle of Kızlarağası Inn. He commented on the meaning of the graffiti's and admired the freshness of the fish sold in Havra Street. During his tour, one of his readers recognized him and immediately bought one of his books from the nearest bookstore to get his autograph. This was one of the interesting moments of his visit.
On Thursday night, after the dinner hold in the honor of Marc Levy and his fiancé Mr.Demirtaş saw them off at the airport. Levy and his fiancé left with happy memories. Levy said: "On my way to this city which I have close family links, I was afraid that the stories told me in my childhood were not real. It is like ever whishing to wake up from a dream which you like a lot...When I came here and saw all these things around, a dream from childhood came true". Levy said good bye to Izmir and people of Izmir with happiness. What could be better than his childhood dream coming true for a writer who started his writing career by writing the stories he told his son.
WHO IS MARC LEVY?
Marc Levy was born in 1961 in France. After graduating from Dauphine University- Paris he set up an IT company in the United States. He returned to France in 1990 and established an architectural and engineering company. In 1999, when he was 38 he wrote his first novel "If Only it Were True". The book was based on a story he had invented for his son and was on the bestsellers list for months. This novel was adapted to the cinema in 2005 and named "Just Like Heaven".
Levy's second novel "Will You be There?" sold 1 million. His third novel "Seven Days for an Eternity" was the bestselling hardback novel in France for 2003. Levy added to his success by his subsequent novels "In Another Life" and "Finding You". The combined worldwide sales of Marc Levy's five books surpassed 10 million. In 2005, the sequel to "If Only It Were True" was published, entitled "Finding You". In Turkey the book was released by Can Publishing in 2007. The publisher of Levy's all other books in Turkey is Can Publishing as well.
Levy has a also short film and he is currently working on his first long film. He lives in London.
|