For immediate Release (June 7, 2000)

EPE Inc., as the Turkish trade representative and business consultant to the Connecticut Dept. of Economic & Community Development (DECD) recently participated in an event organized by The World Affairs Council. Ambassador Mehmet N. Ezen, Consul General of Turkey in New York City, traveled to Hartford, Connecticut on June 6 to address U. S. business people at an event presented by the Council: "Turkey: the Market of Opportunities".

Ambassador Ezen focused on the opportunities available in Turkey for small- and medium-sized U. S. companies. He pointed out that the World Bank has identified Turkey as one of the 10 most promising emerging economies. He listed the expanding privatization, increasing democratization, constitutional laws passed to improve the trade climate for foreign investors. Approximately 100 attendees represented various Connecticut enterprises: financial services, construction, accounting, manufacturing and education.

The World Affairs Council, a non-profit educational organization that sponsors programs on international politics and business, organized the event along with the support of Webster Bank (recipient of the U. S. EXIMBANK Year 2000 Small Business Bank Award), University of Connecticut and the Connecticut DECD.