The Turkish Canadian Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia, by a group of Canadian businesses with the mission to encourage and support the development of bilateral trade and investment between Canada and Turkey. While numerous Canadian companies have been involved in mega projects in Turkey, and an increasing number of Turks have been investing in Canadian businesses and real estate, the Chamber believes that the present level of trade and investment between the two countries represents only a fraction of its full potential.
In cooperation with associations in Canada and Turkey, the Turkish Canadian Chamber of Commerce offers a number of professional services to Canadian and Turkish businesses and individuals in support of their objectives.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Turkey, Eastern Europe's Economic Powerhouse
Strategically situated between Europe and Asia, and with a population estimated at about 80 million, Turkey is an economic powerhouse of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. It's one of the few countries that's self-sufficient in food and a rapidly growing industrial player. An associate member of the European Union, Turkey is a gateway into the developing markets of the Balkans, Middle East and Central Asia. Thousands of Turkish entrepreneurs, contractors, engineers and workers are actively engaged in building the infrastructure and economies of countries such as the Russian Federation, Romania, Bulgaria, Iraq and Syria.
A Message From The Turkish Ambassador To Canada, His Excellency Rafet Akgunay
Dear Canadian Friends,
It is a great pleasure for me and my colleagues at this Embassy to be able to serve in Ottawa.
Turkey and Canada share similar values of strong belief in democracy, rule of law, human rights and freedom. We work together bilaterally and on the international for a to promote our common ideals of humanity.
I am particularly pleased that Canada as an ally acknowledges and appreciates the importance of Turkey’s geopolitical position and her relations with the Western world, and has the same approach as Turkey on many international issues.
Strong Turkish Canadian society in Canada also plays a positive and constructive role on enhancing relations between our countries. The Embassy, grateful to these efforts, would be ready to promote this role in the future as well.
With best regards,
Rafet AKGÜNAY
Some Economic Highlights About Turkey
A modern telecommunication and transportation network.
17th largest and 4th fastest growing economy in the world.
4th biggest donor country in the world with respect to its GNP.
Donor of $3.5 billion in economic and technical assistance including credits and $500 million in humanitarian aid to several countries. In Russia alone, the investments of Turkish private entreprises amount to $10 billion.
With an average annual growth rate of 5%, the fastest growing country on the Mediterranean.
Exports to 155 countries, ranging from cable for the Channel Tunnel to cars to China.
Europe's largest supplier of textiles and apparel.
General Dynamics' only F-16 fighter plane factory outside the US is located in Turkey.
A regional center for international companies such as Coca-Cola, Chase Manhattan, Philips and Siemens.
A land of opportunity
Privatization program includes state enterprises active in airlines, banking, telecommunications and petroleum. Privatization and its $4.5 billion per year energy investment program offers important opportunities for foreign investors. One of the 10 big emerging markets. The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation has been creating vast investment oppourtunities in agroindustries.
Brief Facts About Turkey
Turkish Republic was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk that led a War of Independence after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Originally, Turks were a Central Asian people related to Mongolians. Modern Turkey is a melting pot of immigrants from Europe and Asia and the indigenous peoples of Anatolia, also known as Asia Minor.
More than 50-percent of Turkey's population is under 30 years old.
Turkey is a parliamentary democracy.
Turkish is a Turanic language related to Finnish and Hungarian.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
