Dunya – Completing his five-year term of office in Turkey, Trade Commissioner and Executive Director of the Italian Trade Commission in Turkey, Dr. Roberto Luongo said that the number of Italian companies operating in Turkey has reached 800, up from 350, with an increase of 128.5 pct in five years.

“The increase in the number of Italian SMEs (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) in Turkey is an indicator of the importance of Turkey” said Luongo, detailing the Turkish market’s significance to Italian companies.

“Among the major Italian firms in Turkey are Fiat, Pirelli, Unicredit and Menarini. Especially in recent years, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in Turkey has increased. This reaffirms the strategic importance of the Turkish market for Italian companies. Italian firms are present in every sector. However, they traditionally prefer the machinery, automotive, textiles/ready-wear and chemicals sectors. In the last two or three years, their interest has shifted to the environment, renewable energy, infrastructure, defense, transportation and telecommunication sectors”, Luongo concluded.