In order for you to be proactive in your foreign and domestic policy, you have to have sound macroeconomic fundamentals, and Turkey achieved this in the last decade, and hopefully this trend will continue in the next 10 years.
The financial crisis started in the US, and the contagion effect has shown there are weaker links than the US in the world. Europe's under-the-rug problems are popping up one by one, and they are still struggling to find a way out, and so far, success does not seem likely.
But in the meantime, once again the US economy is showing its strength in learning from past mistakes to ease the financial crisis' impact via quite an active monetary and fiscal policy. The politicized Washington, D.C., and a polarized Congress are making life difficult, but institutionalized and compartmentalized politics once again show signs of life. Slow but sure growth and more than 200,000 jobs created per month, if continued, will help the world's largest economy recover from the crisis.
And my point here is an important one. Despite the emerging BRIC countries and a strong neighborhood policy, the US is by far the world's largest economy, and if Turkey wants to extend its capacity and capabilities, the US market is the place to be. Turkish companies have to find a way to penetrate the US market as long-term investors. Having spent the last five years in Washington, D.C., and serving as the director of the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists' (TUSKON) US office, what I realize is that the importance of the American market for Turkey has always been emphasized, yet no long-term plan has so far been created on the Turkish side.
Compared to 10 years ago, Turkish players are extremely active in the D.C. area. They have approached more senators and congressmen than before, a number of new institutions have emerged and the upside of bilateral relations is now dominating the agenda here. More people know Turkey and its people and leaders now. More columns appear in leading newspapers such as The Washington Post and The New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. Despite the confusions and the difficulty of reading the Turkish economic and political agenda correctly, there are numerous efforts being made to understand it. These are all signs of an emerging Turkey, despite the domestic agenda and shortsightedness of policy-making.
But, for a long-term and stable relationship, strong backing is necessary at the grassroots level. Corporate America knows Turkey very well. Financial Turkey knows the US very well. But the rest have no clue, including the presidential candidates in the US. In this environment, Turkish scholars, elites, journalists and academics have to work more on a state level in the US. But, and more importantly, as a business community, we have to pave the way by supporting local activities and find a way to be a part of those markets.
The Turkic American Alliance (TAA) and their partners are very active in the US. Representatives from dozens of states learn more about Turkey by attending local events. Turkish-American chambers of commerce in those states support Turkish businesses on every front in their journey to the US.
This year, in those State House receptions, Turkish businesses will play a key role, and TUSKON is proud to be a part of those activities. Many small but dedicated TUSKON member association delegations will visit the States. Some of them are already here, and some are on their way. They will not only bring their support and enthusiasm to the American market but also their business capacity and entrepreneurial spirit. They will engage American businesses and also benefit from these locals and navigate new horizons.
This is only a small step towards better economic cooperation. But if it succeeds and paves the way for Turkish businesses into the US market, then we would all be delighted to eat more Turkish delight, figs and baklava. I am confident that I will see more Turkish brands in my local malls in the US and will observe more Turkish entrepreneurs supporting the American economy and creating jobs in this competitive environment.
