business mans view of ……..
As Turks and Armenians wait for 24th April to see whether U.S. President Barack Obama will utter “genocide”, a new period takes start for Turkish-Armenian relations. Business worlds of two countries launch different projects one after another.
President of Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) Kaan Soyak said that there are many projects are waiting to be launched. Soyak stated that “qualified industrial zone” with Armenia and customs free exportation to Russia might form good chances for Turkish businessmen. Soyak said that the biggest trade initiative between two countries will be exportation of Turkey to Armenian diaspora of 7 million population in the World. Soyak said that Turkey will be able to reach Brazil, Argentina and Canada markets through Armenian diaspora in those countries, by establishment of good relations with Armenian diaspora. Soyak underscored that Armenia is the most active country in Caucasus in which Turkey can boost its volume of trade and said, “Now the amount of exportation to Armenia is about $100 million. This amount could be increased to $500 million in short term.
Establishment of relations with Armenian diaspora and with usage of qualified industrial zone this amount would be even much higher.”
Kaan Soyak believes that Turkey and Armenia will make a new start if American President Barack Obama does not use the word “genocide” during his speech on 24 April. Turkish and Armenian businessmen are on the alert for possible opening of Turkey-Armenia state border and they have projects ready to be launched in case. Soyak said that the process that is started by Yerevan visit of President Abdullah Gul last year, made Turkish and Armenian businessmen to take action. Soyak said, “There were many projects on our agenda. Their infrastructures are completed, now the project that we deal with is reaching Armenian diaspora.”
Soyak said that Armenian diaspora is the richest diaspora in the World after Jewish diaspora. He said, “There are 1.2 million Armenian in U.S. and 2 million in Russia. Besides we are interested in the diaspora of Canada, Argentina and Brazil. These people speaks Turkish language with Anatolian dialect and their economical status are very well. More than any other thing, they are ready to cooperate with Turkey.”
Soyak said that Turkey can reach to the markets that it cannot find place for itself with the help of Armenian diaspora. He said that this new markets can form a new hope against recession.