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 Meeting January 2009 Istanbul Contracting Authority

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB ETCF at a glance  Project implemented by EUROCHAMBRES in cooperation with TOBB (joint project management team)  Project launched: December 2007, 24 months  Total budget: € 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 is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB 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 is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB 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 is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB ETCF activities (3) 3.Communication Logo Bi-lingual leaflet Bi-lingual Website

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB The survey on « Corporate preparation in Turkey for EU membership »

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Survey objectives  Detailed 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

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB 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

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Survey respondent profile  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

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Key findings

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Low level of familiarity with the acquis and 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

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB How to fill the information gap?  Information sources: Chambers of Commerce Turkish government Universities & Institutes  Tools: Seminars, workshops, conferences Printed information on EU legislation

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Low level of familiarity with the accession negotiations but will to participate to the process

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB State of preparations

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Particular 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

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Difficulties expected primarly in the financial area

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Future perspective

ETCF is funded by the European Union Project is implemented by Eurochambres & TOBB TOBB Final 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