Embassy Activities
Laying the Foundations: The bridge between İzmir and Cape Town!
Muzaffer Tuncag also added that Izmir is the most important trade centre of the Mediterranian and is the “City of Opportunities’’ with its rapidly growing dynamic economy and its tourism facilities. Muzaffer Tunçağ emphasided that the Fair Izmir is the largest and the most qualified fair of the region which can provide significant beneficiaries for South African entrepeneurs. Tunçağ, “İzmir, in every respect is a canditate city to take place at “the rising values of the world” During this process, it would be a great motivation to have you supporting us. The friendship and cooperation between İzmir and Cape Town could be a model for the world.
“There are significant opportunities ahead of us ”
The Cape Town Administrators were very much interested with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality’s agricultural subsidies and enviromental investments as well as gastronomy and the issue of renewable energy. Mayor Patricia De Lille in her speech indicated that “İzmir and Cape Town, are pretty much alike each other. They both are also ruled by opposition parties. We should identify targets and take action immediently. There are significant opportunities we should not miss out.
İEF and Fair İzmir excitement at Cape Town
On the other hand , there was a sincere respond from the South African side for the invite of İZFAŞ General Manager Gül Şener to İzmir International Fair and Travel Turkey . Sener also added that both fairs would offer opportunities on trade and culture. Fair Izmir would also be a good opportunity for the olive oil and wine sectors to expose themselves to alternative markets.. Izmir Honorary Consul Tamer Taşkın emphasized that South Africa is highly ambitious in the production of granite and indicated that South Africa should take part in Marble Izmir to expose themselves to new markets. He also added “ we need to find ways to develope sector by sector cooperations.For instance , Izmir has a highly advanced background on olive oil culture and can mandate Cape Town which is new in this field.
Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia De Lille expressed that they are willing to attend Izmir Internationa Fair and Travel and added “We will encourage businessmen to attend but we will need to make preperations in advance.’’
Cape Town: World Design Capital
Cape Town just like Izmir is a culturel city. Cape Town is one of the three Capital cities in South Africa and has attracted all attentions when distinguished as World Design Capital in 2014 by International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. This was monitored closely by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality having the goal in making Izmir the design centre of the Mediterranian. The Cooperation Protocol signed between Mayor of Izmir , Aziz Kocaoglu and Mayor of Cape Town Patricia De Lille in December 2014 made a great impact on relations especially in the fields of enviroment,local health, organic agriculture, rural development and local government services. İn 2014 Cape Town was named as the best place to travel by the New York Times.
Development Agency Wesgro much interested in İzmir
During the 2 days visit of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality delegation various presentations were made by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism and Wester Cape Development Agency. CEO of Wesgro Tim Harris expressed that they are very much interested in Izmir. The Izmir delegation was also briefed on the system and the operation during their visit to Cape Town Congress Bureau and Centre of International Congress. The Izmir delegation was also interviewed by South Africa’s national TV channel SABC 3.