VZCZCXYZ0012
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHAK #1195/01 1831452
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011452Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6714
INFO RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ANKARA 001195
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EEB FOR STEPHEN KAPLITT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: TURKISH CANDIDATES FOR MAKTOUM FOUNDATION
ENTREPRENEURS CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 62387
1. Per reftel, we offer seven candidates for possible
participation in a Maktoum Foundation Conference to be held
in Dubai in early 2009. Their names and descriptions follow:
2. Ms. Mutlu Alkan: She is an executive in the family
company Malkan Makina textile machinery and has greatly
expanded its reach. She is the Director of the International
Relations Committee of AKP, Istanbul branch. She
participated in an International Visitors Program (IVP) in
FY2006. She is an active IV Alumni, keeping in touch with
other participants, and traveling to their countries to give
speeches. She also invited IVP alumni to Turkey to
participate in various meetings organized by the Justice and
Development Party (AKP). She became a member of the Women
Entrepreneurs Committee that was recently established in TOBB
Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.
Contact information: Piyale Pasa Bulvari, Pim3 Is Merkezi,
Kat 1, Caglayan, Turkey, 90-532-563-3808, email: mutlu at
alkan.com.tr
3. Ms. Ayse Bali, Rafineri Advertising-Istanbul: A graduate
of Robert College, she is one of the top graphic designers in
Turkey. She founded Rafineri Advertising in 2001 with two
other partners. The company is now the largest independent
advertising agency in Turkey. In addition she owns a T-shirt
brand which displays Ottoman motifs.
Contact information: Rafineri Advertising, Asmalimescid
Mahallesi, Mesrutiyet Caddesi, No: 99, Tepebasi-Istanbul,
Turkey 34420, 90-212-334-6600, Email: ayse.bali at
rafineri.net
4. Mr. Mustafa Kaygusuz, Foreign Trade Manager, Lastik
Dunyasi Inc.; Foreign Trade Manager, Veday Mining Inc.;
Owner, Zett Bijoux Store; General Secretary, International
Interaction Society. Mustafa Kaygusuz is a young Muslim who
works in foreign trade. He and a friend founded the
International Interaction Society after they encountered a
foreigner who lived in Ankara but had been trying without
success to meet Turks. The non-profit organization has grown
rapidly and now hosts regular "IIS Country Seminars" at which
diplomatic representatives are invited to introduce their
countries in informal lectures; offers excursions to
historical sites and cities in the region; welcomes language
learners to weekly Turkish conversation nights; and even
offers Turkish cooking courses.
Contact information: Birlik Mahallesi, 18th Sokak No. 14/1,
Cankaya, Ankara, 90-312-496-1146
5. Mr. Obahan Obaoglu, owns and directs Strategic
Communications Consultancy and the Genc Lider youth leader
NGO. He is the former deputy vice chairman for youth in True
Path Party (DYP) and Party Vice Chairman for Science and
Technology. He is involved in national and international
educational programs and has taken an active role in lobbying
parliament to reduce the eligible age for election to 25.
Former International Visitor Program participant. He speaks
English and German.
Contact information: 39. Caddesi 14/21 Birlik Apt.,
Cukurambar, Ankara, 90-312-468-8750
6. Mr. Selcuk Ozturk -- President of the Konya branch of
conservative businessmen association MUSIAD. He works in the
auto spare parts industry. He represents a typical central
Anatolia businessman in that he does not use bank credits,
and instead relies on family resources for company financing.
He speaks no English.
Contact information: MUSIAD Konya Subesi, Havzan Mahallesi,
Sapanca Sok. 1/A, Meram, Konya, Turkey 90-332-320-6500
7. Ms. Fide Postaagasi is a young female entrepreneur in
Kayseri. She owns a chain of restaurants named "Kasik-la"
serving Kayseri specialties. She opened a branch of the
restaurant in Istanbul. She also sells her products to Real
Supermarket in Ankara. She is fluent in English and was
educated in the U.S. Three years ago her mother was selected
as the best female entrepreneur of the year in Kayseri. Her
family owns iron mines, a mining company named Ozkoyuncu, and
a Toyota dealership.
Contact information: Kasik-la Restaurant, Anbar Mahallesi,
Zafer Caddesi No. 4, Toyota Ustu, 38070 Kayseri, Turkey,
90-352-326-3075
8. Mr. Ali Turktas is a young Konya businessman who owns
gasoline stations. He is a former International Visitor
Program participant. He created a web site for Turkish-U.S.
friendship. He was Mainland Party (ANAP) Konya Youth Branch
President. His wife is a deputy dean at Konya Selcuk
University.
Contact information: Bezirciler Alpet Petrol, Fatih
Mahallesi, Yeni Istanbul Caddesi, Itfaiye Karsisi, No. 6,
42300 Selcuklu, Konya, Turkey, 90-332-320-7363, email:
aliturktas at yahoo.com
9. We have several suggestions for possible cosponsors for
funding the conference or related activities. These are the
Bilkent Foundation, the Union of Chambers and Industries
(TOBB), the Businessmen's and Industrialists' Association
(TUSIAD), Independent Industrialists' and Businessmens'
Association (MUSIAD), Turkish Confederation of Businessmen
and Industrialists (TUSKON), the Turkish-American Business
Association (TABA), the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, and the
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. Endeavor is a private group
which might also be a good cosponsor. Their website is
www.endeavor.org.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON