Turkish, US firms to meet virtually under virus's shadow 

The 38th American-Turkish Conference will address bilateral economic, trade and strategic ties when attendees meet virtually Sept. 21- 24 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event was organized by Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) Turkey-US Business Council (TAİK) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Khush Choksy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for Middle East, Turkey and Central Asia Affairs, told Anadolu Agency the conference will focus on key sectors that will support U.S.-Turkey economic recovery post-COVID and contribute to the $100 billion bilateral trade goal from its previous $75 billion when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump raised it last June.

Choksy said the event will mark the first virtual conference of its kind, and the first following the integration of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) into the Chamber earlier this month.

Noting that the bilateral trade volume stands at $25 billion, including services, Choksy said despite the unprecedented impact of COVID-19, the figure in the first half of 2020 rose 6% thanks to the energy and aviation sectors.

The trade volume between the two countries hit $9.8 billion in January-June, up from $9.2 in the same period last year, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).

In 2019, Turkey's exports to the US stood at $8.1 billion while imports was around $11.2 billion, according to the TurkStat.

"Significant economic and business climate reforms combined with regulatory convergence to better align the US and Turkish economies with innovative business trends will open the door to new trade and investment opportunities," he said. "In this regard, the US Chamber of Commerce calls upon...