TACCI, Aegean Exporters' Association (Ege Birlik) and the Global Resource Action Center for the Environment (GRACE) organized its second workshop on organic and sustainable foods. The workshop was specifically designed to address Turkish food exporters and Turkish restaurants.

The American experts, who spoke at the workshop organized by TACCI in New York, stated that Turkish exporters, restaurant owners and groceries should consider choosing organic goods. G. Lincoln McCurdy, the senior advisor of TACCI, moderated the workshop. Organic and sustainable foods experts described the benefits of organic products to the restaurants and markets, indicating that organic sector has increased to 20 billion dollars market share in the U.S.

Carl Soller, Esq. discussed how customs and trade regulations promulgated out of homeland security concerns are impacting businesses which import, transport and distribute products from Turkey. Oğuz Alpöge informed members about how technology is being deployed to assist importers and shippers in complying with increased regulation and surveillance of Turkish-US trade.

TACCI Members participated in this seminar organized by HSBC in New York.

Ms. Martha D. Soffer, Economic Development Specialist of the U.S. Small Business Administration, provided the attendees with information on the Small Business Administration Credits and Loans Program.

Dinners/Luncheons/Receptions

TACCI sponsored two tables at the Annual Gala Dinner of the Freer and Sackler Galleries of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Th e gala event at the Freer Gallery was held on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition titled, Style and Status: Imperial Costumes from Ottoman Turkey. Turkey's most creative fashion designers were also honored at the dinner. Senior government officials from Turkey and the United States as well as prominent business people from Turkey were among the guests.

Mr. Ferhan Geylan of Gilan was awarded TACCI's "Entrepreneur of the Year Award" which was presented to him by H.E. Kürşat Tüzmen, the Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey at the Turkish Consulate. The speakers were H.E. Kürşat Tüzmen, Consul General Hon. Ömer Önhon, TACCI President Mustafa Merç and Mr. Ferhan Geylan.

Networking Activities

TACCI members gathered at the TACCI head office to celebrate Eid, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Meetings/Roundtable Discussions

Prime Minister H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with TACCI members at the Turkish Consulate General in New York. Other than the Prime Minister, Minister of State H.E. Dr. Mehmet Aydın, Minister of State for Economy H.E. Ali Babacan, Advisor to the Prime Minister H.E. Ömer Çelik Turkish Parliament Members Mr. Egemen Bağış (Istanbul), Mr. Nihat Ergun (Kocaeli), Mr. Mehmet Çiçek (Yozgat), Turkish Ambassador to the United States H.E. Faruk Loğoğlu, Consul General Hon. Ömer Önhon and other guests joined the meeting.

TACCI President Mustafa Merç, Vice President Mahmut Topal, Vice President Altan Ergun, Board Member Yıldırım Eroğlu and Director Uğur Karacan met with the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament H.E. Bülent Arınç. Turkish Ambassador to the United States H.E. Faruk Loğoğlu and Consul General Hon. Ömer Önhon were also present.

TACCI members met with Mr. John Turner of the American Energy Systems to discuss the topic of Energy Investment in Turkey.

Businesspeople from Bursa visited TACCI head office and met with TACCI members to discuss new business opportunities in United States. TACCI and BUGIAD The meeting focused on various issues including logistics, customs, import-export regulations, business law in order to encourage businesspeople from Bursa to extend their business to the U.S. markets. TACCI and BUGIAD The meeting focused on various issues including logistics, customs, import-export regulations, business law in order to encourage businesspeople from Bursa to extend their business to the U.S. markets.