|
Introduction
In response to a request by Senator Byrd of West Virginia, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce has prepared a report
about the potential for an enhanced trade relationship between the Appalachian region in the United States and Turkey, including its nearby Caspian neighbors. The Senator's insight for potential trade and
investment between Turkey and West Virginia, and his support for OPIC's efforts to increase U.S. trade and investment between these two regions, has been instrumental in identifying good, commercially viable
opportunities for companies in the Appalachian region in Turkey and the resource-rich Caspian states. The genesis for this report stems from a strong interest in identifying viable opportunities for West Virginia and
Appalachian region companies to supply clean coal technology to Turkey's energy sector. The number one consumer of West Virginia coal is Turkey and several facilities in the state are advancing clean coal
technology. Several other promising sectors were identified through close cooperation between the Senator's office, OPIC, and the U.S. Department of Commerce offices in Charleston, West Virginia and Ankara,
Turkey. These include building products, automotive parts, high technology information systems to support Turkey's defense industry, specialty metal products, and mining machinery. Additionally, West
Virginia could take advantage of sales and licensing opportunities likely to result from the building of oil and gas export pipelines in the Caspian region, most of which will pass through Turkey. |
