Turkish Taxi Of Tomorrow Would Be Built in Brooklyn

ImageThe Taxi Of Tomorrow might be built in Brooklyn! Karsan, the Turkish manufacturer in the running to build New York's next generation of taxicabs, is now upping the ante (and changed its tune) by pledging to manufacture the wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. The new pledge makes the Karsan cab the only one of the three finalists which would be built in America (it had previously said it would build them in Turkey).

"We have three strong final contenders, and we are evaluating them as we speak," is all TLC spokesman Allan Fromberg will say on the topic. But we're guessing the promise of up to 800 new manufacturing jobs in the city is something that will certainly help the company get more support from local politicians (incidentally, Karsan sent a letter of its intentions to Brooklyn Beep Marty Markowitz). Ford, the only American auto-maker in the running, would make its taxis in Turkey.

Turkish Chamber Begins Southeast Outreach

The Turkish-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast U.S. has seen Georgia’s exports to Turkey climb more than 45 percent last year to $574.6 million and imports from Georgia rise 35 percent to $228.5 million in comparison to 2009.

But Mevlut Tascan, the chamber’s executive director, isn’t satisfied. Nor is he particularly impressed that last year’s bilateral trade between the U.S. and Turkey amounted to $15 billion.

“It’s almost a joke,” he told GlobalAtlanta during a video interview. He explained that in view of the close military relations between the two countries, trade should be greater.

Since the chamber was established in Atlanta in 2007, Dr. Tascan said that it has focused primarily on developing ties with Georgia.
Source: GlobalAtlanta

Deputy Minister Announces Reciprocal Meeting in Istanbul

March 18, 2011, Las Vegas– Cemalettin Damlaci, the Turkish Deputy State Minister for Foreign Trade, spoke Tuesday and Thursday at the 25th Annual Reservation Economic Summit (RES), addressing an audience of Native American tribes and businesses on the burgeoning relationship between Turkey and Indian Country. RES is organized by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED).

During his Tuesday speech, Damlaci proposed that Native American business leaders join him in Istanbul in November 2011 for a business forum on developing solid business-to-business networks.

Foreign Ministry: Turkey, USA Have Sound Will to Boost Commercial Ties

Image An official from Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that both Turkey and the United States had a sound will to boost commercial ties between them, Anadolu News Agency reported. Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Selim Yenel, who is currently in Washington, D.C. for the 6th meeting of the U.S.-Turkey Economic Partnership Commission (EPC), attended a reception hosted by American-Turkish Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Yenel said that Turkey and the United States had good relations in the areas of politics and military, stating that the two countries also made a strategic decision to boost relations in the area of commerce.

Karsan Hails Detroit for Taxi Partnership

Image Turkish carmaker Karsan, one of three finalists in the city's "Taxi of Tomorrow" competition, plans to partner with an American automaker to build the powertrain for the vehicle that it hopes will be the next New York City cab, a source familiar with the company's plans says. The competition to custom-build an iconic taxi to replace the various models on the road today is coming into the home stretch, and Karsan hopes that a partnership with an American automaker like General Motors or Chrysler could allay concerns that it lacks U.S. manufacturing experience.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission expects to announce a winner soon. Commissioner David Yassky has said that if none of the models measure up, the city could decide to postpone awarding the exclusive 10-year contract.

Turkish Ford Plant, Aiming Increased U.S. Sales

ImageAccording to CEO Nuri Otay of Ford’s Turkish unit, the plant is aiming towards a 50% sales increase in the United States for 2011. The Turkey unit is one of the finalists in the competition to supply New York taxis. Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS is already commercializing the Transit Connect van for use as service vehicles in cities like Boston, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles, according to Otay. He added that the demand for the Transit Connect van will increase in 2011. The car is being produced at a plant located in Kocaeli, Turkey.

A New Approach from Halach Gold to the Jewelry Market

ImageThe jewelry sector is one of the sectors with the greatest ambition to make its mark as a global brand. Representatives of the industry have declared their goal of becoming the global leader by reaching exports of $10 billion in 10 years. Turkish companies are known for their traditional way of doing business (store based) in the U.S., but one of them decided to set up a web based company.  (http://www.mygoldgram.com) Çiğdem Bostan, Vice President & COO of Halach Gold Inc., a New York based gold buying and selling company, talked to TURKOFAMERICA.

"The Best Way to Understand the U.S. Market Is to Stay Informed"

ImageRobert Headley, Chief Operating Officer of Jewelers of America, says suppliers in Turkey who can help U.S. retailers to meet market challenges and changes will have the greatest success. “I would strongly encourage foreign companies who want to enter the jewelry industry here to do their homework. The best way to understand the U.S. market is to stay informed,” he added.  Headley answered TURKOFAMERICA’s questions.

American Construction Industry Has No Prospect for Significant Growth until 2011

ImageThe American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), headquartered in Chicago, is a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. Current market share for structural steel in the non-residential marketplace is 59%, based on square footage of construction starts.

"The Turkish Steel Industry Has Shown Outstanding Performance"

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Nicholas Walters, Communications Director of the World Steel Association.
The World Steel Association forecasts that apparent steel use will increase by 10.7% to 1,241 million metric tons (mmt) in 2010 after contracting by -6.7% in 2009. With these projections, world steel demand in 2010 will exceed the pre-crisis levels of 2007. In 2011, it is forecast that world steel demand will grow by 5.3% to reach a historical high of 1,306 mmt. The resilience of the emerging economies, especially China, has been the critical factor enabling the earlier than expected recovery of world steel demand.
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