CKE Opens Its First Carl's Jr. Fast-Food Restaurant in Istanbul
CKE Restaurants Inc. said Tuesday that it has opened its first Carl's Jr. restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey. The fast-food chain opened in the Cevahir Shopping Mall in central Istanbul. It is the first of at least 25 Carl's Jr. locations set to open in Turkey over the next six years.The expansion into Turkey is part of CKE's plan to speed up franchise development in overseas markets. "We believe the Turkish market has tremendous potential for our brand given the strength of its economy, the youthful population base and an appreciation for premium-quality burgers. It is also a gateway for European expansion," CKE Restaurants CEO Andrew Puzder said in a statement.
eBay is announcing the acquisition of Turkish auction marketplace GittiGidiyor. The deal follows eBay’s acquisition of a minority stake in the company in 2007. With the new investment, eBay now owns approximately 93% of the outstanding shares of GittiGidiyor. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
FOCUS Brands Inc., the owner of Carvel ice cream and Cinnabon, will add 50 locations this year to its fastest growing chain, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and expand into Turkey as the global recession recedes.
Teaneck, NJ - After learning the secrets of Turkish cuisine, his dream was always to open a restaurant. He was a very talented and hard working man who looked for a bright future for himself. After working eight years in various Turkish restaurants as a head cook, he changed his career from the culinary arts to the sea. Being a sailor was joyful job as a young man and he worked 10 years from port to port in different countries. He traveled to over 40 countries, even though he did not like any of them, and experienced diverse cultures, but he was still seeking a challenge. 
As the Internet continues to become an ever-bigger part of our lives, security concerns are increasing. The world’s second biggest Internet security company belongs to a Turkish businessman from Hatay, Melih Abdulhayoğlu. He is the owner of Comodo, which has 700 employees in five offices around the world and an annual growth rate of 50%. We are proud and pleased that his first interview in the Turkish media has been given to TURKOFAMERICA. 
Approximately 4.1 million babies are born in the United States every year. With a ratio of 2.1 children per woman, the birth rate is higher in the US than in Europe and Canada. According to the National Census Report of 2000, the number of immigrants’ children who were born in the US is 28.4 million. 
According to Business Monitor International forecasts, the mining industry in Turkey is expected to grow by 71.3% between 2009 and 2013. The industry is expected to reach a value of US $12.76 billion by 2013. Currently there are 20-25 mining companies from Canada, the U.S., the UK and Australia operating in Turkey. 
While Turkey is among the five greatest markets in the gold jewelry sector along with India and USA, it is also competing with Italy in the production field. According to a report by the Exports Promotion Center of Turkey, although Turkey has a goldsmithing capacity of 400 tons annually it only produces 250-300 tons of gold jewelry. Turkey has a place among the first three leading gold jewelry producers in the world, with India and US being the other two. 
As Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association prepared their strategy in 2009, the industry’s share of Turkey’s total exports was 4.2%. They are aiming to reach a level of 5.5% in 2023. To achieve this target, Istanbul Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association's board have established sub-sector committees in such areas as aluminum, copper, and kitchenware. Hayrettin Cayci, Deputy Chairman of Istanbul Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association, talked to TURKOFAMERICA. 
In the last five years, Turkey's chemical industry exports have increased by an average annual rate of 5%. These exports make up 5.7% of Turkey’s total exports . The industry exported 4.9 billion in 2008 and this increased by 7.5% in 2009, reaching 5.2 billion dollars. On the other hand, Turkey's chemical industry imports totalled $20 billion in 2009, falling by 21 percent when compared the previous year. 
