Turkish Trade DelegationTargets Chemical Sector

To enhance U.S.-Turkey commercial relations, Turkey's minister of state for foreign trade, H.E. Kursad Tüzmen, is leading a trade delegation to the U.S. this month, visiting New York and Chicago. Turkish exports of chemical materials and products equaled $6.64 billion in 2005; the total production value of the Turkish chemical sector is $11 billion. Turkey is aiming to implement a trade development strategy that focuses on increasing trade between the two countries and attracting American investment in Turkey. Major exports of the Turkish chemical industry are mineral fuels and oils, plastic raw materials and plastic products followed by washing preparations, inorganic and organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber products and paints. Responsible Care, the chemical industry's health, safety and environment initiative, has been used in Turkey since 1992.