WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Turkey Business Council named Cargill as the Council’s new Chair. Cargill Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs Devry Boughner Vorwerk will serve as the Council’s Chair on behalf of Cargill Chairman and CEO David MacLennan. The Council announced Cargill’s new leadership position yesterday during a roundtable meeting with Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Şimşek, co-hosted by the U.S.-Turkey Business Council, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), and the Turkish Heritage Organization.
“Given the significance of Cargill’s presence in Turkey, the company will bring a unique and valuable perspective to this role. They are eager to expand opportunities for U.S. and Turkish companies while advancing policies that strengthen the bilateral commercial relationship and open new markets,” said Khush Choksy, senior vice president for Middle East & Turkey Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“Cargill is honored to increase its engagement with the U.S.-Turkey Business Council,” Vorwerk said. “Cargill has more than a half century of business experience in Turkey, and recognizes that we are assuming the chair at a critical juncture in U.S.-Turkey relations. We will continue the Council’s strong focus on expanding U.S.-Turkey commercial opportunities, deepening the dialogue between the two governments and their private sectors.”
Cargill first entered the Turkish market in 1960 and has invested more than $500 million in the Turkey’s growing agribusiness, animal nutrition and industrial sectors. During its presence in the country, the company has introduced purchasing guarantees for Turkish farmers, built a supply network that connects local and global clients, and developed an innovative labor force. Cargill’s manufacturing facilities, domestic partnerships and nationwide distribution networks directly employ more than 1,000 people in Turkey—and support another 715,000 people indirectly through its nationwide Turkish farm-to-production network.
The U.S.-Turkey Business Council was established to expand bilateral commercial relationships and increase trade and investment between the United States and Turkey. The organization represents more than 60 of the largest U.S. companies with investments in Turkey, and maintains offices in Istanbul and Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 80 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.
