Ohio representatives lead economic trade mission to Turkey
Lead Summary
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ISTANBUL, TURKEY - State Representatives Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville), Peter Beck (R-Mason), and Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) recently led a trade mission to Turkey with the goal of exporting more Ohio products and to encourage economic growth in Ohio.
The economic mission led the group through the country beginning in Istanbul and continuing through Ankara, Kayseri, and Izmir. The specific goal was to highlight the Wilmington Airpark’s ability to serve as the regional export hub for agricultural products. The representatives were assisted by Janelle Mead with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Tim Sword of the Ohio Department of Development, Highland County Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer, Clinton County Economic Development Director Bret Dixon, and Ben Webb, legislative aide to Representative Rosenberger.
“This mission gave us an important opportunity to sell our great state and, most importantly, our region and our workforce,” said Representative Rosenberger. “We’ve got to compete in a global market, and that requires that we step up and sell our area, our goods, and the importance of our regional location being within 61 percent of the United States and Canadian manufacturing base.”
The trade delegation met with the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Science and Technology, along with other government officials at the provincial and local level. The group visited with the country’s major news outlets, both print and television. Representatives Rosenberger, Beck and Peterson were interviewed on the Samanyolu Television Network, the Turkish equivalent to our major television news networks.
“In meeting with the companies and government officials, we were able to gain a better understanding of ways in which both Turkey and Ohio can foster mutually friendly trade relations and gained valuable contacts,” said Commissioner Shaffer. Shaffer joined the mission because part of the export process between the United States and Turkey involves operations in Highland County.
The delegation also met with companies interested in furthering trade relations in Ohio and the United States market. Seventeen companies representing 50 different businesses sat down with the delegation to discuss trade opportunities in the aerospace, automotive, agricultural, machinery, and defense industries. One company has identified itself as an interested party to utilize the livestock export abilities of the Wilmington Airpark.
“Turkey is a large growing economy and desires the high quality meat products, animals, and machinery that we in Ohio produce,” said Representative Peterson. “I am very optimistic that Ohio will be able to increase our exports to Turkey.”
“This was a unique opportunity as it was the first time a delegation from Ohio was able to meet with Turkish officials and business leaders to discuss job creation and expanded trade between our states,” said Representative Beck.
“One of the key components was to identify backhaul opportunities to compliment Ohio’s livestock export operations,” Director Dixon said. “Representative Rosenberger pulled together an incredible team where doors were opened in the Turkish business community and government, which otherwise would have never been possible.”
Representatives Rosenberger, Beck, and Peterson are dedicated to creating job growth in Ohio and are committed to travel anywhere to encourage and grow business in Ohio.
The Niagara Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to improving relations between Turkey and the United States, sponsored the trade delegation.
All four elected officials and the legislative staffer paid their own airfare and traveled at no expense to the taxpayers.
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The economic mission led the group through the country beginning in Istanbul and continuing through Ankara, Kayseri, and Izmir. The specific goal was to highlight the Wilmington Airpark’s ability to serve as the regional export hub for agricultural products. The representatives were assisted by Janelle Mead with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Tim Sword of the Ohio Department of Development, Highland County Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer, Clinton County Economic Development Director Bret Dixon, and Ben Webb, legislative aide to Representative Rosenberger.
“This mission gave us an important opportunity to sell our great state and, most importantly, our region and our workforce,” said Representative Rosenberger. “We’ve got to compete in a global market, and that requires that we step up and sell our area, our goods, and the importance of our regional location being within 61 percent of the United States and Canadian manufacturing base.”
The trade delegation met with the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Science and Technology, along with other government officials at the provincial and local level. The group visited with the country’s major news outlets, both print and television. Representatives Rosenberger, Beck and Peterson were interviewed on the Samanyolu Television Network, the Turkish equivalent to our major television news networks.
“In meeting with the companies and government officials, we were able to gain a better understanding of ways in which both Turkey and Ohio can foster mutually friendly trade relations and gained valuable contacts,” said Commissioner Shaffer. Shaffer joined the mission because part of the export process between the United States and Turkey involves operations in Highland County.
The delegation also met with companies interested in furthering trade relations in Ohio and the United States market. Seventeen companies representing 50 different businesses sat down with the delegation to discuss trade opportunities in the aerospace, automotive, agricultural, machinery, and defense industries. One company has identified itself as an interested party to utilize the livestock export abilities of the Wilmington Airpark.
“Turkey is a large growing economy and desires the high quality meat products, animals, and machinery that we in Ohio produce,” said Representative Peterson. “I am very optimistic that Ohio will be able to increase our exports to Turkey.”
“This was a unique opportunity as it was the first time a delegation from Ohio was able to meet with Turkish officials and business leaders to discuss job creation and expanded trade between our states,” said Representative Beck.
“One of the key components was to identify backhaul opportunities to compliment Ohio’s livestock export operations,” Director Dixon said. “Representative Rosenberger pulled together an incredible team where doors were opened in the Turkish business community and government, which otherwise would have never been possible.”
Representatives Rosenberger, Beck, and Peterson are dedicated to creating job growth in Ohio and are committed to travel anywhere to encourage and grow business in Ohio.
The Niagara Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to improving relations between Turkey and the United States, sponsored the trade delegation.
All four elected officials and the legislative staffer paid their own airfare and traveled at no expense to the taxpayers.
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