overview of the etfc project eu-turkey chamber forum partnership projects - kick-off meeting

ETCF is funded by the European Union

Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB

Overview of the ETFC project

EU-Turkey Chamber Forum Partnership Projects - Kick-off Meeting13-14 January 2009

Istanbul

Contracting Authority



ETCF at a glanceETCF at a glance

Project implemented by EUROCHAMBRES in cooperation with TOBB (joint project management team)

Project launched: December 2007, 24 months Total budget: € 4.250.000

component A – direct grant contract CFCU – EUROCH. component B – CFCU Call for Proposals

Objective: To strengthen dialogue and cooperation between Turkish and EU Chambers, as members of civil society, thus promoting the integration of EU and Turkish business communities Institution Building Acquis Communautaire



ETCF activities (1)ETCF activities (1)

1. Activities to develop the knowledge of Turkish chambers on the so-called EU acquis communautaire

The survey Training cycle on European policies for

Turkish Chamber executives 6 manuals on relevant EU legislation



ETCF activities (2)ETCF activities (2)

2. Activities to enhance the abilities of Turkish chambers to design and generate value-added services to their members

creation of 22 partnerships Participation in the EUROCHAMBRES

Academies Accreditation of approx 50 Chambers



ETCF activities (3)ETCF activities (3)3. Communication

Logo Bi-lingual leaflet Bi-lingual Website

www.etcf.org.tr



The survey on « Corporate preparation in Turkey for EU

membership »



SurveySurvey objectivesobjectivesDetailed insight into the level of awareness and readiness of Turkish companies to comply with EU legislation Turkish businesses’ opinion about future EU accession, and in particular their expectations, fears and hopes.

To help bridge the current information gap on the business-related EU legislation

To provide the opportunity to enhance the debate in Turkey on EU membership within the civil society

To provide basis for Chambers to design assistance



Survey methodology

Survey conducted between July and September 2008: 9000 companies.

Extensive questionnaire (21 questions) prepared, covering:

Information and compliance with the acquis Awareness on the accession negotiations Corporate strategy and attitude towards a potential

accession Role of Chambers

Turkish regional Chambers involved in dissemination and collection of the questionnaires.

External support in polling and statistical analysis



Survey respondent profile

2.878 Turkish companies from all regions and sectors. High response rate – strong interest for issues covered by the survey

Mainly SMEs (97%) - in particular micro-enterprises and small enterprises

Presentation of result 2 days before Commission annual review



Key findingsKey findings



Low level of familiarity with the acquis Low level of familiarity with the acquis and the EU funds and programmesand the EU funds and programmes

2/3 of Turkish companies have a very low knowledge of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)

The EC programmes open to Turkey are not better known



How to fill the information gap?How to fill the information gap?

Information sources: Chambers of Commerce Turkish government Universities & Institutes

Tools: Seminars, workshops, conferences Printed information on EU legislation



Low level of familiarity with the accession negotiationsLow level of familiarity with the accession negotiationsbut will to participate to the processbut will to participate to the process



State of preparationsState of preparations



Particular problems expectedParticular problems expected

Turkish companies expect important problems in complying with the acquis in general and in particular in the areas of competition and trade

Situation varies with the size of the companies. Example of the environmental policy



Difficulties expected primarly in the financial areaDifficulties expected primarly in the financial area



Future perspectiveFuture perspective



Final remarksFinal remarks First experience of survey

implementation is very successful Provided guidance for training

activities and publications under the ETCF project

Provided basis to develop a comprehensive strategy of business support

Provided relevant input for the EU and Turkish policy makers

overview of the etfc project eu-turkey chamber forum partnership projects - kick-off meeting

Documents