BTSO food sector CIGR members in Azerbaijan

Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), within the scope of the UR-GE projects initiated in the ‘processed’ and ‘frozen’ food sector with the support of the Ministry of Trade, has created new trade bridges in Azerbaijan, which is a gateway to a huge market of 250 million people, for the companies involved in the projects.
BTSO has added another new initiative to improve the international competitiveness of its members. The firms within the UR-GE projects supported by the Ministry of Trade to enhance the position of BTSO’s food sector members in global markets have found a new destination in Azerbaijan. A delegation of 46 representatives from the firms participating in two separate UR-GE projects for ‘processed’ and ‘frozen’ foods first visited Turkey’s Ambassador to Baku, Assoc. Dr. Cahit Bağcı, as part of their overseas marketing activities. BTSO members then met with Vice President Natig Hasanov and board members of KOBIA, which operates as a development agency for small and medium-sized enterprises in Azerbaijan. The next stop for the representatives of the Bursa food sector who received detailed information on investment and trade opportunities in Azerbaijan was the Azerbaijan Turkey Businessmen Association (ATIB). Here, BTSO members held consultations with ATIB President Mürsel Rüstemov and board members, and later conducted B2B meetings with the participation of over 100 companies.
“There are significant opportunities in a market of 250 million”
Burhan Sayılgan, Chairman of BTSO Food Council, stated that Turkey and Azerbaijan are two brother countries with common history, culture, language, and faith. Referring to the direction of the relationship between the two countries indicated by the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, as ‘One nation, two states’, Sayılgan said that they aim to crown this strong emotional bond with trade. Burhan Sayılgan pointed out that the bilateral trade between Turkey and Azerbaijan reached 7.5 billion dollars in 2023 and expressed the desire of the food sector representatives to contribute to the bilateral trade target set at 15 billion dollars. Sayılgan emphasized, “In addition to our historical, cultural, and fraternal ties, Azerbaijan offers access to a population of approximately 250 million through duty-free trade with Russia and Turkic Republics. Our visits and B2B meetings here were very productive. There are very important opportunities in this market. We believe that we can take our trade to much higher figures. I thank the Ministry of Trade and the Board of Directors of BTSO for their support.”
“New doors will be opened”
Özkan Dangaç, the Authorized Person of Bursa Doğbes Inc., pointed out the increasing importance of exports in Turkey’s economic policies year by year and said that as representatives of the food sector, they make great efforts to develop the market. Emphasizing that UR-GE studies are a great opportunity for firms aiming to export, Dangaç said, “When we started UR-GE studies, we had no exports at all. However, with the support of our Ministry of Trade and BTSO, we have become a company that increases its exports every year. Our final destination, Azerbaijan, will open the doors for us to Russia and Turkic Republics.”
“We want to expand our market”
Gökhun Yalçın, Deputy General Manager of Asbal Gıda, stated that they have been operating as a company for about 43 years, providing services in all local chains in Bursa and exporting to 11 countries. Yalçın said, “With the services provided by our Ministry and BTSO, we are in Baku. Our meetings here were extremely fruitful. We believe that we will achieve our goals here in the shortest time possible.”
Zafer Özgün, Sales and Marketing Director of Kocamanlar Fisheries Fish World, stated that they have been selling products to the largest supermarket chains in brother country Azerbaijan for the past 3 years. Özgün, who stated that they aim to increase their activities within the food UR-GE scope and expand to a wider area, expressed their satisfaction with the meetings they had.
“We are pleased to see Turkish companies here”
Mürsel Rüstemov, President of the Azerbaijan Turkey Businessmen Association (ATIB), stated that they aim for the development of economic relations between the two countries. Emphasizing the importance of the interest shown by BTSO members in the Azerbaijani market, Rüstemov said, “We hosted representatives from the chemical sector in January. Today, representatives from the food sector had very important meetings with local companies. The meetings of our companies at the trade table are one of the most important steps taken in line with our common ideals. If these meetings continue, I believe we will all see how fast trade develops together. We are very pleased to see more companies from Turkey here.”
Intense interest from regional companies
Regional companies showed great interest in the B2B event held in the capital city Baku of Azerbaijan. The bilateral business meetings were closely followed by Turkey’s Commercial Counsellor Ahmet Erdal and representatives of non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, members of the BTSO Food UR-GE project also visited major chain stores in Azerbaijan.