Yıldırım: "To connect diplomacy with trade, trade with development, and development with shared prosperity." “Gaziantep Dialogue” Meeting with Ambassadors and Honorary Consuls

“Gaziantep Dialogue” Meeting with Ambassadors and Honorary Consuls

Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GCC) organized a significant meeting titled “Advancing Regional Cooperation for Shared Prosperity: the Gaziantep Dialogue” with the participation of ambassadors and honorary consuls, aiming to strengthen regional diplomatic relations and expand economic and cultural cooperation.

GCC’s consultation meetings with honorary consuls based in Gaziantep—now a long-standing tradition—were expanded on this occasion with the participation of ambassadors, with the goal of further reinforcing institutional cooperation networks.

Gaziantep’s Strength Lies in the Quality of the Relationships It Builds

Delivering the opening address, Tuncay Yıldırım, GCC President of the Board of Directors emphasized that Gaziantep has historically been a city at the crossroads of trade, culture, and diplomacy.

Highlighting that Gaziantep is a city that produces through its economy, unites through its culture, and hosts through its gastronomy, Yıldırım underlined the strategic importance of the participating countries within Gaziantep’s trade landscape and stated:

“This gathering presents a valuable opportunity both to deepen existing relationships and to open new channels of cooperation. We aim to establish a stronger collaboration mechanism with our embassies, honorary consuls, and international organizations. Gaziantep’s strength lies in the quality of the relationships it builds. Our objective is clear: to connect diplomacy with trade, trade with development, and development with shared prosperity.”

“We Aim to Build Strong Bridges for the Region”

Mr. Yıldırım noted that recent developments in the region bring both risks and significant opportunities, emphasizing that Gaziantep plays a critical role in this evolving landscape.

He stated “Developments in our region present both risks and important opportunities. Therefore, as the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce, we aim to build stronger bridges between our countries. For us, diplomacy is not only the language of states, but also of cities, the business community, and societies. I hope that the strong dialogue initiated here today will evolve into lasting cooperation among our countries.”

Gaziantep’s Foreign Trade Dynamics Presented

As part of the program, Hasan Baran Uçaner, GCC’s Secretary General delivered a presentation titled “Gaziantep’s Foreign Trade Potential and Key Milestones” In his presentation, Mr. Uçaner shared insights into Gaziantep’s strong export performance, regional trade relations, and emerging opportunity areas.

Broad Diplomatic Participation

The meeting was held with the participation of ambassadors and honorary consuls representing countries that maintain honorary consulates in Gaziantep.

Participants included:

• The People’s Republic of Bangladesh: Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Muhammad Shahanoor Alam & Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Erdal Salih Özdemir
• Kingdom of Belgium: Ambassador H.E. Hendrik Roger M. Van de Velde & Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Kutayfer Memiş
• Denmark: Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Şefika Şebnem Ayata Kaplan
• France: Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Can Samlı
• Netherlands: Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Bora Tezel
• Republic of Latvia: Ambassador H.E. Bahtijors Hasans & Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Soner Bacaksız
• Luxembourg: Ambassador H.E. Daniel Da Cruz
• Slovenia: Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Mizyal Karabiber Nacaroğlu
• Sri Lanka: Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Süleyman Çiçek
• Republic of Zambia: Ambassador William Maipambe Sikazwe, First Secretary (Economic and Trade) Nancy Hamalambo & Honorary Consul in Gaziantep Özlem Işık