ATSO Forges Strong Partnership

Strong Cooperation from ATSO Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO) President Davut Çetin announced that a new and strong cooperation agreement has been signed with the Izmir Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association to develop mutual trade with Italy, one of Turkey's most important trading partners. Izmir Italy Consul Valerio Giorgio, Italy Honorary Consul Ramazan Üçdan, Izmir Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board Chairman Pietro Alba and Izmir Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry General Secretary Eren Alpar visited President Davut Çetin on the occasion of the opening of the Izmir Italian CCI Antalya Office, which will operate under ATSO, and the Italy Country Day event. At the visit, which was also attended by ATSO Board Member Cahit Şahin, Treasurer Member Ayhan Kızılsavaş and General Secretary Vildan Demer, cooperation opportunities related to trade between Antalya and Italy were discussed.

Trade volume must increase

Speaking at the meeting, President Davut Çetin noted that there are cooperation opportunities between Antalya and Italy in sectors including agriculture and tourism, marble, furniture, health tourism and yacht production. Noting that a delegation organization could be carried out primarily in the marble sector due to the Korkuteli Marble Specialization Organized Industrial Zone that will be put into operation, President Çetin stated: "By working together, the two chambers should focus on common sectors and increase the trade volume between Antalya and Italy." Pietro Alba, Chairman of the Izmir Italian CCI Board, also speaking at the meeting, noted that Turkey is a very important trading center for Italian companies. Stating that they are working to ensure Italian companies see the potential in all provinces of Turkey, Alba explained: "As Izmir Italian CCI, we want to expand our activities to different provinces. We believe Antalya is an important location for Italian companies. For this reason, it is very important for us to have a contact point within ATSO."

Izmir Italian CCI Antalya Office begins operations

Within the scope of the visit, a cooperation protocol was also signed between Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Izmir Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association. Under the protocol, the Izmir Italian CCI Antalya Office was opened to serve as a contact point in the ATSO service building. Speaking at the office opening, President Davut Çetin said: "We have assigned our colleague Gözde Medford to this office, which will operate under our ATSO External Relations Department. This office will be an important communication point for our companies in Antalya that want to trade with Italy. I invite our member companies seeking information about the Italy market, looking for answers to questions about this market, and wanting to enter the market to contact our Office."

Italy Country Day held

Following the opening, an "Italy Country Day" event was held in the ATSO Conference Hall. At the meeting, which was attended by a large number of members, investment and commercial cooperation between Italy and Antalya were discussed. Organized as the first event within the framework of the cooperation agreement, at Italy Country Day information was provided on mutual trade with Italy, services to be provided by the Izmir Italian CCI Association Antalya Office to companies wishing to do business with Italy, and opportunities for developing trade with Italy. Following the event, member companies had the opportunity to meet and chat one-on-one with the Izmir Italy Consul and Italian CCI officials.