EİB Launches Strategy for Distant Markets

EIB's Distant Markets Strategy Aegean exporters accelerated their efforts towards Latin American countries in line with the Distant Markets Strategy. Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica Gustavo Campos Fallas visited Aegean Exporter Associations to exchange views on potential cooperation between Turkey and the Republic of Costa Rica in the coming period. Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica Gustavo Campos Fallas stated that if logistics-facilitating solutions are produced, particularly in bilateral trade, the trade volume between the two countries represents significant potential, that 60 percent of Costa Rica's exports consist of technological products, and that they attach importance to high-value-added exports. Deputy Coordinator Chairman of Aegean Exporter Associations and Chairman of the Board of Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association Hayrettin Uçak noted that Turkey realized USD 20 billion in exports to American countries during the January-November 2022 period. "In the Distant Markets Strategy that our Ministry deployed to increase our export scope, Latin American countries are among the priority markets. In this regard, our honorary consuls carry out an important mission for developing economic, commercial, social and cultural relations between the countries where they serve and Turkey. Deputy Chairman of the Board of İzmir Chamber of Commerce Emre Kızılgüneşler, in his capacity as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica in İzmir, added a new link to the relations between Costa Rica and Turkey. With an exporter identity and a dynamic and innovative perspective, he works intensively during his honorary consulate duties to increase foreign trade between the two countries. Currently our exports to Costa Rica are predominantly industrial products. We believe that through both diplomatic contacts and the development of air cargo capacity to distant destinations, we will gain good momentum in our food products where we are a strong player globally, and that our trade volume will increase. We aim for USD 200 million in exports to Costa Rica in the short term," he said. The meeting was attended by Deputy Coordinator Chairman of Aegean Exporter Associations and Chairman of the Board of Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association Hayrettin Uçak, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Costa Rica and Deputy Chairman of the Board of İzmir Chamber of Commerce Emre Kızılgüneşler and Aegean Exporter Associations General Secretary Cumhur İşbırakmaz. It was decided to hold a meeting with broad participation in the first quarter of 2023 to develop trade opportunities.