Delegation from Russia-Turkey Business Council visited İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer, in his seat. Delegation including Russia-Turkey Business Council Chairman Ahmet M. Palankoyev, Vice Chairman and International Centre for Business Assistance (ICBA) Chairman Adam M. Lyanov, Russia-Turkey Business Council Turkey representative Hakan Cihaner discussed with Mayor Soyer on potential cooperation between İzmir and Russia, especially on online fairs.

Mayor Soyer expressed that the pandemic has brought the concept of new normal to our lives and fair organization will also transform after the pandemic and added “It’s time for virtual fairs now. We have a fair organization company named İZFAŞ, that has 89 years of experience under its belt. Largest fairgrounds of Turkey are in this city. We are organizing the oldest fair of Turkey. Now we are pondering on virtual fairs. We organized Turkey’s first virtual fair, Shoedex 2020 during the pandemic. We are organizing 89th İzmir International Fair (IIF) with theme of Mediterranean. We can bring together Russia and Mediterranean region with a joint virtual fair.”

Stating that a common ground can be created on virtual fair organization with corporate capacities of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ together with the city coalition that encompasses all organizations of İzmir, Soyer said “we had to postpone the launch of İzmir office in Moscow due to pandemic. Our efforts will continue in this regard. Because İzmir is currently missing its potential in tourism.”
 
Russia-Turkey Business Council Chairman Ahmet M. Palankoyev expressed that they can work together for promotion of İzmir and a meeting of Russia-Turkey Business Council can be held in İzmir.