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by Lesley Lyons

In July 2011, TrueLanguage sat down with Tarik Celik, Executive Director of the Atlanta Istanbul Center, to discuss the role the Istanbul Center plays in helping further develop the relationship between Turkey and the United States. As the final blog in our series on “Going Global in Turkey,” we share with you excerpts from the interview with Mr. Celik.

How long have you lived in the United States?
I moved to the States in December 1997 and was a chemistry instructor at the middle and high school levels. In Turkey, my career began as a private tutor for gifted children. I then became a teacher and, eventually, an administrator.
How did you become involved in the Istanbul Center?
A student I taught in Turkey was working at the Istanbul Center in Atlanta and he contacted me in 2006 as they were looking for an executive director to help expand the organization. At the time, I was in my second year of a three-year commitment as the student director of a middle and high school located in Milwaukee. After visiting the Center, I was very interested in the position, but was unable to start until the following year.
After six months in the position, we opened our headquarters in Midtown Atlanta and increased both the quantity and quality of the programs we offer. We also established the first Turkish-American Chamber and moved one of our facilities from Norcross to Alpharetta. Once we were settled, we began to focus on helping other Centers in the Southeast to develop a stronger network.
How many Centers are there in the Southeast?
There are 22 organizations in the Southeast region, which consists of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama. We partner with them on our programs and sponsor their programs as well. We share our knowledge and know-how. The Turkish American Federation of Southeast is the umbrella organization for all of the Centers in the region.
What do you see as the primary role of the Istanbul Center?
We believe that Turkey has a key role in the future of the United States and vice-versa. As such, it is very important to further develop the relationship our countries have. The primary goal of the Istanbul Center is to facilitate that development through a variety of programs and services aimed at disseminating knowledge of the language, history, culture, education and social life of the Turkish people throughout the Southeastern United States. Our programs focus on education, culture and trade.
What are the top three objectives you hope to achieve while serving as the Executive Director?
My main goals are to: create more education programs for youth in Atlanta and the greater Southeast; create cultural programs that would benefit everyone in the community; and, create business opportunities and become a bridge not only between communities but between the nations of Turkey and the United States.
Tell us about some of the programs you offer.
Many of our programs are aimed at reaching the younger generations. For example, each year we hold an essay contest for middle and high school students with a theme focused on a global issue. Last year’s theme was empathy and next year it will be hunger. We reach over 150,000 children through this contest. Another youth-oriented program we participate in is the International Environmental Project Olympiad (INEPO), which is a competition that solicits environmentally-focused projects in chemistry, science, essays/policies and physics. Last year, we sent three overall winners to the international program and all three received silver medals. We also partner with Fulton County on youth leadership program. In 2010, several young commissioners representing different districts went to Turkey where they met with their counterparts. We’re hoping to expand this program to other counties in the future.
As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Turkey has a lot to offer American businesses. How does the Istanbul Center try to promote trade between the two countries?
Each year, the Centers in the Southeast Region take 25 – 30 groups with 10 – 12 individuals per group on a trade mission to Turkey. These trips focus on education, culture and trade. If you do not understand the educational system of a country, you cannot understand the culture or trade with that country. Therefore, many of the participants are individuals who can help us create that relationship in education. We invite leaders of our educational system in various states – primarily universities – to come to Turkey and we connect them to colleges and universities in Turkey to establish a study abroad program.
In addition to our annual trips to Turkey, we are currently working on securing partners and sponsors for our 2012 Conference, which will expose attendees to virtually every aspect of Turkey and have a focus on trade.
Also in 2012, we hope to implement a new internship program for American students in Turkish companies. This program will help young Americans learn more about the potential Turkey has to offer and provide a great opportunity for college graduates from America to find employment. It also will help Turkish companies learn more about the U.S. and to feel more comfortable working with Americans.
We’re reading more about Turkey as a hot spot for American businesses. What do you see as the primary benefits for American companies looking to expand into a new global market?
Turkey is the best country in the region given its unique advantage of spanning two continents. It has a very vibrant economy, free market system, and is a democratic secular Muslim country. It is the west of the east and it is the east of the west and, as a result, has very diverse culture and ethnicity. Turkey is also very rich historically. Turkey has the fastest growing economy of any OECD country and is ranked the 6th largest economy in Europe and the 1st largest in the Middle East. Turkey is also a very important location for American companies that want to oversee business in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, Balkans and Europe because of Turkey’s proximity to these areas.
Compared to many European countries, Turkey has very cheap and quality labor. In addition, Turkey has the youngest population in Europe with over 65 percent of the population under 35 and a growing number are receiving a college education, resulting in a very qualified, ambitious and educated labor force. For the past eight years, the Turkish government has provided a financial incentive for university students to undertake specific projects created by the government. If the project is successful, the student receives an even greater financial reward that they do not have to pay back. In 2010, there were 85,000 projects created and 65,000 received the incentive. The government is very aware of its young population and they fact that they need more education and jobs.
In addition to education incentives, the Turkish government offers companies incentives to provide training programs to help increase trade in Turkey. The government currently offers funding up to 20 thousand Turkish lira to train employees to learn international trade. Even American companies doing business with a Turkish partner would qualify for this funding.
Is the government more stable than in the past?
Up until 2002, the average government party’s life was 18 months. Since 2002, there has been one government. Not only is the government more stable, but Turkey’s financial structure is one of the most sound in the world. In 2001, Turkey had a huge financial crisis and, as a result, it changed the structure of the banking system. When the rest of the world experienced the financial crisis in 2008/2009, Turkey was one of the least affected countries in the world. When you look at the profit margins of financial institutions throughout the world, Turkish banks have the biggest profit margins, which is another key element of why Turkey is attracting more investment.
What are the top growth markets?
Agriculture, alternative energy, aircraft and parts, chemicals, construction, and health tourism are great avenues in which to invest in Turkey.
Despite all Turkey has to offer, American businesses have been slow to take advantage of this booming economy. What do you think is the biggest hindrance for American businesses to enter the Turkish market?
The Turkish language and culture are the biggest challenges for Americans to do business or trade with Turkey. That is why we always advise American companies to have a Turkish partner to assist with establishing a business and to learn at least the basics of the language before visiting.
What do you see as the biggest obstacle for Turkish companies to trade with America?
When you look at Turkey’s trade figures, over 50 percent is with Europe. Turkish companies don’t feel as comfortable about trade with America; the distance, language and culture are big hurdles for Turkish people to overcome. They also see America as having the largest companies and toughest competition and question whether or not they are strong enough to compete so they choose markets they believe will be easier to enter. We are trying to change this perception but it is a process and it will take time.
Tell us about a program you offer that is geared toward helping to change the perception the Turkish people may have of America.
Unfortunately, most people in Turkey know America from what they see in the movies, which is why it is important for them to come see for themselves. As such, a big focus area for our Center is to get groups from Turkey to visit the Southeast and to stay with American host families. We also are continuing our efforts to have delegations (CEOs of big companies) come to the Southeast to meet with trade leaders in the region.
We also are working very hard to attract more Turkish students to the colleges and universities in the Southeast. Turkey has historically sent its brightest students to the U.S. to study in American colleges and universities. As of 2010, Turkey ranked 3rd in terms of the number of students they send to study in the U.S. (graduate programs). The Istanbul Center wants more of these students to come to the Southeast. Right now, we have almost 100 Turkish students at Georgia Tech and our goal is to have that number at every school in our region. Not only do these students receive a wonderful education but also really know the Southeast region and what it has to offer. Many times, these students become directors of programs focused on promoting trade, which is why we want them to learn about our region. We are also trying to increase the number of Americans going to Turkey to study in order to increase the exposure both countries have to one another. The more Americans can learn about the potential Turkey has to offer, the more successful our efforts will be.
If you had to advise a U.S.-based company on how to structure their training course for employees in Turkey, what would you tell them?
I would recommend engaging professional help through an organization such as the Turkish American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast U.S. (TACC-Southeast). The TACC is aware of both the culture and the dynamics therein. Always have someone on-hand that knows the laws and legalities very well. Make sure to develop personal relationships. Work on projects face-to-face but also be cognizant that the younger generations are adept at utilizing technology and e-learning. (i.e. In general, people prefer instructor-led courses in a traditional class room setting OR online learning, in the case of the young workforce in Turkey which best excels in e-learning modes, etc.)
What tips (etiquette, cultural differences, etc.) would you provide American businesspeople when interacting with Turkish businessmen and women?
Turkish businesspeople and companies are hesitant to come to the U.S., firstly because of language barriers and, secondly, because they fear that competing in such a large market will not be easy. However, Turks have been actively engaged and involved with the European market for years and do want to make deals at the first meeting, despite their concerns. Turkish people are exceedingly friendly and emotions and politeness are very important to them. They are chatty and will ask many questions, even of a personal nature. It is a good rule of thumb for Americans working with Turks for the first time to let the Turks make the first move in regards to greetings and appropriate body language and to follow their examples. However, once Turks feel comfortable they express their friendliness a lot through touch. Also, the Turkish people are readily able to make and fulfill promises yet are not always good with deadlines.
So what recommendations do you have for an American travelling to Turkey for business or for pleasure?
We encourage anyone visiting Turkey to learn a little bit of the language before they go. We offer language classes for both children and adults. More importantly, we recommend staying with a Turkish family. It is the best way to learn about the culture. Turkish people are very hospitable; host families will share their culture and spend time with their guests with no expectations. They will also take a great interest in learning about American culture. Turkey is one of the most diverse places in the world with an interesting history, unique culture and beautiful landscape. Visitors or companies doing business there will enjoy elements of both Europe and the Middle East for a very compelling experience one will never forget.