“We made a nice interview for the year-end issue of our magazine “Erdem Future” with Chairman of Erdem Holding and Genpa Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem who said “As long as I live our contributions for the protection of Turkey’s good relations with friendly countries, economic and political developments, education, training, health and other issues will continue”
Saying that he does not believe it is possible for a person who does not serve his country to be useful to himself, Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem responded to our questions covering a wide range as befits his highly versatile personality by reiterating the reasons underlying the success of Genpa, which has become one of the leaders of the GSM sector within a short time, the current status of the Turkish economy, Turkey-EU relations, his personal interests and his contributions to Turkish culture and art.
Genpa is one of the top names at this point to introduce innovations in the GSM sector to Turkish consumers. How did Genpa achieve its current position? How did the idea grow for investing in this sector?
Genpa has always been a rapidly advancing locomotive among Erdem Holding companies. At every stage of Genpa’s establishment and evolution, unfailingly, planned and proactive works were in place. We have achieved our current position thanks to our discipline, dedication, follow up, own capital and our thorough knowledge of the system. Doubtlessly, the magic words are “being successful and working hard”. However, for me there are two other significant words: “fairness” and “justice”. From the day I started to work in 1965 I had two never-changing principles and basic fundamentals. Today I advise my children and nephews to adopt the same values. We will continue to stick to the same principles to attain future technology and serve our nation as a form of worship. Repaying its due entitlement to our government and the nation; we are an exemplary Turkish company by being honest, paying taxes, staying away from smuggle. Genpa is a product and achievement of this system.
You are a versatile businessman. You are Chairman of the Turkish American Businessmen Association and Head of the Spanish Business Council affiliated to DEIK. You are also the Marmara Region Honorary Consul of Spain and a member of numerous international business councils. The duties you have assumed enable you to meet face to face with all heads of state. Could you tell us about the significance and difficulties of being a Turkish businessman who represents is country in international relations?
Right now I fell like the Honorary Consul of Turkey. During this assignment I have set a goal with respect to the countries that are Turkey’s friends. While I was Chairman of TABA it was a historical event when the 42nd US president Bill Clinton accepted my invitation to come to Turkey and attend a conference in Istanbul. He declared that the US staunchly stood by Turkey in every way. In the same way, Spain has given full support to Turkey for EU accession after Turgut Özal’s visit. The dialogue has continued with Süleyman Demirel and the former Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz.
Turkey’s imports from Spain amounted to 40 million dollar in the 1980’s and exports stood at the 70 million dollar level. At the present, our imports are up to around two billion dollar and exports exceed one billion dollar. Spain has given us CASA freight aircraft at a time when we faced a military embargo on our anti-terror fight in the southeast and everybody refused to give us freight planes. Whereas European countries applied a virtual embargo to us during our anti-terror fight on grounds of “violations of human rights”, Spain has extended a 37-year low-interest loan for the production of such aircraft in Turkey. From the beginning Spain has given wholehearted support to our fight against PKK, the European issue and EU accession. Spain is the country that has made the greatest effort, after the USA, for our accession to EU. Therefore, I look at Spain as our indispensable ally. We are working on lots of joint projects. All of them will be implemented in the near future. As long as I live, our contributions for the protection of Turkey’s good relations with friendly countries, economic and political developments, education, training, health and other issues will continue. I do not believe that a person who does not serve his country can be useful to himself. I will continue to fulfill my duties under this principle by making effective use of my time.
The process in Turkey-EU relations points to a gradual cooling down of relations. How do you interpret EU’s emphasis on political issues which do not even constitute general criteria regarding its expectations from Turkey? What is the basic reason for conducting relations on such a ground?
Turkey’s political, economic and strategic horizon is incredibly broad, large, meaningful and promising. However, if a negative viewpoint is taken to scrutinize Turkey’s newly discussed and written about problems there is no possibility to overcome them. Today, the US also has many problems. France, Germany, Britain also face insurmountable problems. Therefore, when you start to make a list of problems you have to resort to the other party’s umbrella of understanding and culture. You should note tha0t it is the umbrella of Turkey’s critics that is actually torn.
Is it possible to say that the EU displays a fair approach in its relations with Turkey? What is your assessment of Turkey’s basic strategic approach in face of this situation?
Turkey possesses an immense potential of young population. It is large enough to scare Europe. This potential is an advantage for Turkey but a nightmare for Europe. They pile up lots of lists, criteria and tiers to retain control. Then we move one step ahead to declare our commitment with the slogan “Problem free Turkey” by fixing our eyes on the future and peak and propose to sustain continuity. We must tell our people that we do not have any problems that we cannot overcome and strive to create a Turkey that is not deterred by any obstacles. For this reason “problem” is not and should not be a word that can stop us.
The Turkish economy is undergoing a period of relative stability. However, concern is voiced over important problems such as the gradually increasing debt load (predominantly accumulated by the private sector) and the current deficit. What are your comments on the general trend?
Technological innovations, increased capital mobility and competition in increasingly liberalized world markets pose both risks and various opportunities for the Turkish industry and export sector. For our country to increase its share from global trade and achieve sustainable and stable growth in exports; will depend on setting new export targets and implementing relevant strategies. Export figures for 2007 are expected to approximate the 80 billion dollar level. With its foreign trade volume Turkey wants to take its place among the important players of world trade. The key factor in achieving these set goals will be the synergy created by the cooperation of the entrepreneurial private sector working to secure optimum utilization of available resources and the public entities. The figures inspire hope. Regardless of who says what, Turkey is no longer the Turkey it was back in 2000 or 2001.
You were born in Mardin and Mardin is your homeland that you long for. Could you tell us about the world famous Mardin and the environment of peace it has created in this part of world geography?
Mardin has taught us tolerance, peace, reconciliation, brotherly cohabitation among people from different religions. Back in the 1950‘s there was such a civilized life style in Mardin. There is no other similar setting in the world to date. I hope that Mardin’s population will continue to live in peace for long years, and continue to shed its light of civilization on the world as a beautiful example of the harmonization of religions, languages and cultures.
Your support for arts is well known by all segments of society. Could you tell us about your private areas of interest on the subject? What do you think is the private sector’s role in the protection of historical legacies?
We have always made contributions to Turkish culture and art. The Erdem family has purchased the Ottoman Empire’s official stamp "Mühr-ü Hümayun" used by Sultan II. Abdülhamit in an open auction held in Paris on April 7, 1998 to ensure it remains in Turkey.
In the same way, I bought the “Ebristanbul” exhibition when it was on display in Washington DC in 2003 to bring it to Istanbul. I believe that it is a great service to Turkish art and culture to encourage original Turkish arts in danger of extinction and endorse worldwide recognition. I always insist that our friends in the Turkish business world sponsor such subjects. I think that art and culture are among the important components that keep society together. I pay my debt to my country by making certain concessions. Because I am a son of this homeland. If we do not make an effort to advance this country, who will?
Can you spare time for your social activities and private life in the course of your busy work schedule? What do you do in your leisure time?
I closely follow up on new technologies. I definitely make a point to bring home innovative technology magazines and fair catalogues from overseas travels. I have never stopped to make photographs over long years. There are always at least three photo machines and two video cameras sitting on my desk. It is always a source of excitement and energy for me to follow up on new products and try to keep up with the sector’s pace.