THE PROJECT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION ON TRADE BETWEEN GAZİANTEP (TURKEY) AND GIPUZKOA (SPAIN) CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

A total of 65 projects prepared jointly by the Chambers located in Turkey and in various EU Countries was presented to the "Civil Society Dialogue - EU and Turkish Chambers Forum, EU and Turkish Chambers Partnership Grant Scheme" created through the cooperation of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBERS) and under the auspices of European Commission, and 22 projects selected by the Central Finance and Contracts Unit (CFCU) were qualified for grant.

As a successful project, the project for "The Development of Cooperation on Trade" prepared by Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Gipuzkoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry located in the San Sebastian Region of Spain was put into effect as of December 2008.

The Project is designed to create a strong bilateral cooperation environment between the applicant Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce and its Spanish partner Gipuzkoa Chamber of Commerce in the long term as well as to establish economic and trade cooperation between the business circles, especially Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in various fields of activity in both regions.

The Project, granted approximately 95.000 Euro during the 12 month project duration, aims to contribute to the development of commercial and economic relations between Gaziantep and Gipuzkoa regions locally and between the two countries in general.

The main activities to be carried out under the Project include enabling the enterprises operating in various sectors especially in the sectors of textile, food, machinery, plastics and chemistry, construction, electronics, furniture, automotive, spare parts and tourism, which are recognized as powerful sectors in both regions, to come together through meetings, bilateral cooperation days, fairs and via a joint website, thereby creating an opportunity for discussion of business and investment opportunities within the frame of said activities.

he Project involves the establishment of Spanish and Turkish Trade Offices within the Foreign Relations Units of both Chambers, and these Offices will provide information and consultancy services to the "SMEs" wishing to cooperate with each other both during and after the period of project.

Through the mutual visits to be paid by the experts in foreign relations of the Chambers and of "SMEs", both Chambers will exchange their experiences and information and the information and services provided by the project will be disseminated via the joint website. Another important activity under the Project will be the introduction of Chambers and "SMEs" to each other by participation in the two international fairs with a stand to be held in both regions in 2009.

In conclusion, this Project that will pave the way for long term cooperation of Chambers will create opportunities for new cooperation and significantly contribute to intercultural dialogue.