In an online flash poll of members of the American Business Forum in Turkey (ABFT), an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, respondents overwhelmingly stressed the importance of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and anti-counterfeiting efforts for their businesses in Turkey.                

In the poll, concluded this week, 81 percent of executives stated that their business has “been negatively affected by counterfeit products and/or intellectual property rights infringement.” Only 46 percent were optimistic that the government would undertake steps to improve and strengthen IPR, and the policing of counterfeit products, during the next 12 months. Ninety-two percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “Counterfeit Turkish exports and sales within Turkey of pharmaceuticals, machine parts and other goods represent a danger to the public.”

“US-based companies are very pleased with the recent success of the customs authorities in seizing fake and pirated products,” said Rahşan Cebe, ABFT chairwoman. “But the survey`s results indicate pessimism about the government`s overall efforts to improve intellectual property rights and their enforcement, and this is seen as an issue affecting Turkey`s overall global competitiveness and ability to attract international investment during the current crisis.” ABFT Vice Chairman Jeffrey Kemprecos revealed in a written statement that the association would begin conducting regular flash polls on various issues of concern to the American business community operating in Turkey “in order to take the pulse” of US company executives and stimulate government measures to address these subjects. “Our goal,” he said, “is to provide sound guidance to policy-makers responsible for the investment and commercial environment, and also insight into the thinking of the US business and investment community in Turkey."

      Source: Today’s ZAMAN