ANKARA: As part of the Economy Ministry’s drive to promote Turkish goods and products abroad, the Aegean Exporters’ Unions is set to join the Food Week Korea in Seoul between Oct. 25 and Oct. 28. Under the government’s “Branding of Turkish Products Abroad,” “Putting Across the Image of Turkish Goods” and “Turquality support” drives, Turkish food products will be presented at the event. Five food associations from the Aegean Exporters’ Unions will attend the fair, where a variety of Turkish food products, including dried figs, apricots, raisins, tomatoes olive oil, bay, thyme, sage, pasta and bulgur, will be promoted. Meanwhile, recipes that can be prepared using Turkish products and may appeal to Far Easterners will also be offered at the program.
The Turkish booth will also include a food tasting program where famous Turkish chef İbrahim Önen will prepare some popular Turkish dishes. Import suppliers, distributors, public representatives, press members and the South Korean visitors were expected to participate in the tasting events which will be held twice a day during the festival. The promotion activities will be joined by the leading actors of the Turkish Oscar-nominated movie “Ayla,” which focuses on the relations between Turkey and South Korea through a dramatic story. The film tells the story of Sgt. Süleyman Dilbirliği, a Turkish soldier who participated in the Korean War, and a Korean girl who loses her family in the war. With actors Kim Seol and İsmail Hancıoğlu participating in some publicity events, the film will be premiered in Korea on Oct. 27. Rıza Seyyar, a board member of the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TİM) and the chairman of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, said that they were exporting many food products to South Korea, which they consider to be the most important target market after Japan in the Far East. Stressing that the South Koreans are interested in Turkish products, Seyyar believes exports will further increase. “We are expecting a lot from our tasting and promotional activities in South Korea. If we can well promote our flavors, food products, and quality, we can significantly increase the export volume in this market.” Turkey’s imports from South Korea stood at $6.4 billion last year while it exported goods worth $518 million to the country. Canned products, valued at $6 Million, ranked first in food exports to South Korea.
