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A Practical and Profitable Profile
Turkey's Aegean Region has always played an important role in the national and regional economy due to a number of factors. Abundant natural resources, a balanced temperate climate and its outstanding dynamic social features are only a few reasons that the region is preferred by local and foreing investors, both in the past, as well as today. The Western Coastal, or Aegean Region of Turkey: ·Supports 16 % of Turkey's population ·Generates 20 % of Turkey's exports ·Provides 18 % of Turkey's Agricultural production ·Has a highly developed private sector, with close to 80 % of the regions total production generated by free entrepreneurs.
 Central Location
The Aegean Region is located in western Turkey, and includes 8 primary cities. It stands as a gateway to several eastern countries and a connection throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Balkans and Russia. Its centralised regional location makes the area ideal to support business activity and provide commercial access throughout a broad and diverse geographical expanse. The 3rd most populated and the 2nd largest industrial city of Turkey - Izmir - is located in the Aegean Region and is knows as being the center of culture, trade and civilisation all throughout history.
Young and Dynamic Population
There are 9 universities located in the Aegea region of Turkey, offering graduate and post graduate studies in a complete range of educational disciplines
Professional Support
Locally based professional organisations like the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, The Aegean Chamber of Industry, and the Aegean Union of Exporters offer various services for their members and commercial associates. They conduct research, draw - up various development projects, help new businesses in contacts and advice, and support business interest with various government agencies. There are also many professional establishments actively working in the region such as TABA (Turkish - American Businessmen Association), Aegean Exporters Union, EGEV (The Aegean Economy Development Foundation), EGIAD (Aegean Young Businessmen's Association), KOSGEB (Small and Medium Industry Development Organisation), ESIAD (Aegean Industrial and Businessmen's Association). All of these organizations provide excellent resources in business information, technical standards, and professional contacts throughout the region.
 Transportation
The transportation sector is well established and reasonably priced. The İzmir Post is the largest commercial harbour of Turkey in terms of available capacity in transaction volume. The regional airport is one of the most modern international airports of Turkey, and has many direct international connections to several European locations, besides the cities throughout Turkey.
Commercial Sector
Many of the top 500 industrial enterprises of Turkey are located in the Aagean Region. The area is one of the most attractive regions for investors with a current annual increase of fixed capital investments of 200 %. Also, the labour force productivity increases in the region annually by 15 %. The most important industrial branches in the region are currently food products, tobacco, textile and clothing and automotive industry. Also, the Aagean Region can be considered one of the most important iron and steel centre in Turkey.
Foreign Investment
Progressive economic policies over the past decade, combined with a continuing and escalating program of privatisation of state owned major industries, has attracted foreing investment into Turkey from around the globe. More than 40 countries have established various forms of commercial investment in Turkey, with Germany, Japan and the United States being among the most active to date. A positive environment of stable regulations, open channels of foreing exchange, an internally active stock exchange, and continuing economic growth has contributed to steady and significant expansions in foreing investment. Tobacco and food giants RJ Reynold and Philip Morris, packaging companies Tetrapak and Nacanco, General Motors Company, and the enterprising global Direct Selling Company Amway are only a few examples of the many foreing owned business that have established themselves in the Aegean region of Turkey.
Fairs & Expositions
 The primary annual commercial event for the fegion is the International Business Fair and Commercial Exposition which has been hosted by Izmir annually for over 60 years. Most than 3 million people visited the exposition during its most recent presentation. The Exposition Fair Grounds cover 100 acres of beautiful parks and ponds in downtown İzmir.
Quality of Life
The Aegean region of Turkey offers a temperate Mediterranean climate with long warm summers and short mild winter seasons; but the beautiful weather is only part of the story. A rich international heritage for the region provides for a diverse range of its national library and museum, enthused about its ongoing series of entertainment and stage presentations, and seduced by the natural beauty of its surroundings. |
