Swiss Days 2019 to Be Held in Istanbul for the First Time

Swiss Business Hub Turkey (Switzerland's Export and Investment Office in Istanbul) and Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Turkey, with the support of the Swiss Consulate General, will organize Swiss Days 2019, a large-scale and multi-faceted event aimed at strengthening economic and social relations between Switzerland and Turkey. The event will take place from 20-22 September in Istanbul at Yapı Kredi Bomontiada. Director of Switzerland's Export and Investment Office in Istanbul Mehmet Yıldırımlı, President of Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Turkey Arpat Şenocak and Swiss Istanbul Deputy Consul General Beat Schmid hosted a presentation meeting at the venue Yapı Kredi Bomontiada, with the participation of Şişli Mayor Muammer Keskin. Among the companies supporting Swiss Days 2019, ABB's Head of Robotics and Manufacturing Automation Group Emre Tural also provided information to participants about their newly developed YuMi robot, which was presented as a surprise to attendees at the meeting. During the meeting, detailed information was provided about the event, which will be held for the first time in Turkey, and explanations were made about the unique platform where Swiss art, culture, gastronomy, technology, education and more will be introduced in detail to Turkish visitors in Istanbul. In addition to the mini festival featuring culture, art and culinary delights nourished by the magnificent nature of the Swiss Alps and which will exceed expectations, renowned economists shaping Switzerland's future and respected names from the business and political world are also expected to participate in the "Switzerland Turkey Economic Forum". Following the Economic Forum, "Swiss Career Hours" will provide young visitors with the opportunity to meet with select Swiss companies and contribute to their career planning.

Director of Switzerland's Export and Investment Office in Istanbul Mehmet Yıldırımlı:

"Over three days, where many Swiss companies will be represented, we have planned an extraordinary organization that brings together institutions and individuals from different sectors in Switzerland and Turkey, where creative business partnerships can be established. We hope to foster a sense of partnership not only during the event itself, but also during the period in which we prepared for this event. Over 20 companies participated in Swiss Days, and with record-breaking participation, more than 40 companies became sponsors. We are very proud that in our event, which we are organizing for the first time, international and Turkey's most valuable brands such as Turkish Airlines have trusted us and provided support. Swiss companies have considerable interest in the Turkish market. In 2018, bilateral trade volume between Switzerland and Turkey reached CHF 3.4 billion. Swiss exports increased by 1.7 percent, reaching CHF 1.875 billion. Exports from Turkey to Switzerland reached CHF 1.733 billion in the same period. Various Swiss companies have plans to increase their commercial activities and investments in Turkey. The first foreign investment in Turkey in 2019 came from Switzerland, and Frachtbox, operating in the logistics sector, opened its first office abroad in Turkey." he stated.

President of Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Turkey Arpat Şenocak:

"With Swiss Days 2019, we are achieving a first in Turkey and there will certainly be a continuation of this. We aimed to make this event a tradition and create a sustainable platform where people and institutions of both countries will get to know each other better. In the long term, we plan Swiss Days to be a prestigious event that we will extend to other cities in Turkey. The 'Switzerland Turkey Economic Forum,' which will host renowned economists shaping Switzerland's future and respected names from the business and political world, will play a very important bridging function. Switzerland now ranks 23rd in terms of Turkey exports, and I would like to emphasize that this positive picture has been realized thanks to the contribution of well-known international companies such as ABB, Clariant, Mövenpick, Nestlé, Novartis, Roche, Schindler, as well as other less well-known companies." he said.

Swiss Istanbul Deputy Consul General Beat Schmid:

"A unique feast will take place in Istanbul for three days. Our participants will be able to meet with companies operating in the fields of science, technology, education and culture, and will be able to get to know Switzerland and Swiss companies. Swiss companies have considerable interest in the Turkish market. I believe that this organization will further strengthen the satisfactory ties between Turkey and Switzerland." he stated.