Economy Minister to US businessman: Our love for you is unrequited

NEW YORK – Anatolia News Agency

Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan took part in the first direct flight of Turkish Airlines to Houston.

Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan attended the Turkish-U.S. Business Forum in Houston on April 2, where he met businessman from Texas.

“Our relationship resembles an unrequited love,” Çağlayan said, noting that the trade volume was below the level Turkey desired despite the strong alliance between the two countries. 

“We connected Texas and Turkey from the air. We were already connected by the heart. We also still have to connect to each other by the sea. So we will leave no open doors and there will be no excuse not to do business,” he said.

Turkish Airlines started direct flights to Houston in April. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Susan Combs, who also took the floor during the event, emphasized that both Texas and Turkey were key players in the energy market. Cooperation in the energy field would help the two economies move forward, she added.

Çağlayan will hold talks in Austin on the third day of his visit to the United States.