Syrian Refugees and Investment
Investors from Şanlıurfa and Syria Join Forces for Employment
1 March 2017
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The meeting “Challenges Syrian Businesspersons Face in Investment Process and Opportunities in Şanlıurfa for Syrian Investors” was held on 25 February 2017. The meeting was jointly organized by International Labour Organization (ILO), Şanlıurfa Governorate, Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, Şanlıurfa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Karacadağ Development Agency, and Şanlıurfa Branch of Syria Friendship Association.
In his opening speech, Numan Özcan, Director of ILO Office in Turkey pronounced there is need for more investment in provinces where there is high number of Syrian refugees in order not to disturb balances in labour markets and to create opportunities of decent work. Özcan added that these new opportunities should provide for minimum standards in working life.
In the same vein, Şanlıurfa Governor Güngör Azim Tuna called on Syrian businesspersons for investment and said, “Provinces and regions compete for attracting investors. In this respect it is quite important for Şanlıurfa to explain well advantages offered to both domestic and foreign investors and extend necessary support to these investments. As governorate we are ready to do everything that falls upon us in this field.” During the opening of the meeting, all speakers representing organizations supporting the meeting expressed their expectations of investment in Şanlıurfa by Syrian businesspersons and readiness to help potential investors in their respective ventures.
Following opening speeches, the meeting continued with panel discussion “Problems Faced by Syrian Businesspersons in Investment Process.” During the discussion, the following were stated as major problems that Syrians investors face: problems in securing visa; insufficient information about relevant legislation and regulations; absence of counselling services in this area; shortage of guidance services in establishing companies and possibilities of benefiting from support/incentives; problems in communication and business development stemming from poor command in Turkish language; low levels of education/training and vocational competencies on the part of Syrians; and child labour.
In the panel discussion, Assoc. Prof Murat Erdoğan, Director of Hacettepe University Migration and Politics Research Centre gave information about the present state of Syrian refugees in Turkey. Mustafa Göksu, Advisor for Middle East Countries of Turkish Investment Support and Promotion Agency, and M. Saeed Nahhas and Osman Ahmad Alosman representing Syrian investors spoke about problems encountered by investors accompanied by suggestions for solution.
The afternoon session of the meeting continued with the film ‘Investment Opportunities in Şanlıurfa’ by the Karacadağ Development Agency. Following the film, Yunus Çolak, Coordinator of Şanlıurfa Investment Support Office informed participants about the Investment Incentives and attraction Centres Programme implemented in Şanlıurfa and responded to questions raised by participants.
Participants to the meeting included representatives from all relevant public institutions including Şanlıurfa Governorate, business associations, local chambers, and about 80 Syrian investors. These Syrian investors from Canada, Syria, İstanbul, Bursa and Gaziantep expressed the problems they face in investment processes together with their suggestions for solution while being informed about investment opportunities Şanlıurfa offers as a province with high number of Syrian refugees.
The meeting served the purpose of bringing Syrian investors together with relevant public institutions and agencies, informing the former about incentives and opportunities of investment, and demonstrating the possibilities of cooperation and creation of new employment opportunities through new investments. All institutions involved in the organization of the meeting expressed their commitment to support Syrian and local investors in the implementation of their investment decisions.
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In his opening speech, Numan Özcan, Director of ILO Office in Turkey pronounced there is need for more investment in provinces where there is high number of Syrian refugees in order not to disturb balances in labour markets and to create opportunities of decent work. Özcan added that these new opportunities should provide for minimum standards in working life.
In the same vein, Şanlıurfa Governor Güngör Azim Tuna called on Syrian businesspersons for investment and said, “Provinces and regions compete for attracting investors. In this respect it is quite important for Şanlıurfa to explain well advantages offered to both domestic and foreign investors and extend necessary support to these investments. As governorate we are ready to do everything that falls upon us in this field.” During the opening of the meeting, all speakers representing organizations supporting the meeting expressed their expectations of investment in Şanlıurfa by Syrian businesspersons and readiness to help potential investors in their respective ventures.
Following opening speeches, the meeting continued with panel discussion “Problems Faced by Syrian Businesspersons in Investment Process.” During the discussion, the following were stated as major problems that Syrians investors face: problems in securing visa; insufficient information about relevant legislation and regulations; absence of counselling services in this area; shortage of guidance services in establishing companies and possibilities of benefiting from support/incentives; problems in communication and business development stemming from poor command in Turkish language; low levels of education/training and vocational competencies on the part of Syrians; and child labour.
In the panel discussion, Assoc. Prof Murat Erdoğan, Director of Hacettepe University Migration and Politics Research Centre gave information about the present state of Syrian refugees in Turkey. Mustafa Göksu, Advisor for Middle East Countries of Turkish Investment Support and Promotion Agency, and M. Saeed Nahhas and Osman Ahmad Alosman representing Syrian investors spoke about problems encountered by investors accompanied by suggestions for solution.
The afternoon session of the meeting continued with the film ‘Investment Opportunities in Şanlıurfa’ by the Karacadağ Development Agency. Following the film, Yunus Çolak, Coordinator of Şanlıurfa Investment Support Office informed participants about the Investment Incentives and attraction Centres Programme implemented in Şanlıurfa and responded to questions raised by participants.
Participants to the meeting included representatives from all relevant public institutions including Şanlıurfa Governorate, business associations, local chambers, and about 80 Syrian investors. These Syrian investors from Canada, Syria, İstanbul, Bursa and Gaziantep expressed the problems they face in investment processes together with their suggestions for solution while being informed about investment opportunities Şanlıurfa offers as a province with high number of Syrian refugees.
The meeting served the purpose of bringing Syrian investors together with relevant public institutions and agencies, informing the former about incentives and opportunities of investment, and demonstrating the possibilities of cooperation and creation of new employment opportunities through new investments. All institutions involved in the organization of the meeting expressed their commitment to support Syrian and local investors in the implementation of their investment decisions.
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