Turkish Innovation Conference begins in Istanbul

ISTANBUL (A.A) - December 7, 2011 - The "Turkish Innovation Conference" hosted by the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) and strategic partnership of Turkcell began on Wednesday under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency. Turkish President Abdullah Gul and his spouse Hayrunnisa Gul, Qatar's Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his spouse were present at the inauguration of the conference. Delivering the opening remarks of the conference, TIM's Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi said that "change was necessary to be able to compete and balance foreign trade". We need to make the innovation issue a part of our cultural values. We need to support those making changes in schools, work places and daily lives. Everyone should be able to make changes and get rewarded, Buyukeksi said. Also delivering the opening remarks, Turkcell Director General Sureyya Ciliv said that the people in Turkey were in an advantageous position to receive information. We say that it is now Turkey's and the region's turn to make changes, Ciliv said. In order for Turkey to reach its goals in 2023 and be more competitive, Turkey needs to make use of innovation and differentiate its products, Cilic added.