Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson and Alderman Tom Bordeaux are hoping a little Southern charm will win over some new friends across the Atlantic Ocean.
At the invitation of the Istanbul Center in Atlanta, both will represent the city next week as part of a delegation traveling to Turkey, where they will visit Istanbul, along with other cities, to meet with business and government representatives. They depart on Tuesday and return May 31.
The trip is intended to build relationships with foreign businesses, government officials and educational institutions, Jackson said. Such relationships can generate partnerships, trade and international investment, she said.
“When dealing with foreign countries, they want to see the heads of government,” Jackson said.
Auburn Mayor Linda Blechinger, a member of the Istanbul Center’s advisory board, sent an invitation to Jackson to accompany the delegation in January.
“The Republic of Turkey has identified Georgia as one of the top six states in the United States to increase trade,” Blechinger wrote. “Please consider joining us to learn more.”
Past international trips by elected officials — such as visits to Israel and China — have led to student exchange programs with local universities and lured foreign business officials and government leaders to the city, Jackson said.
The benefits of such visits do not occur overnight, however, said MarRonde Lumpkin-Lotson, Savannah’s administrator of international affairs.
It takes time for each party to learn about the other’s business practices and government regulations before committing to any investment, Lumpkin-Lotson said.
“It’s not realistic to think that as soon as a trip is made, a business is going to locate here,” she said.
Bordeaux and Jackson will also be meeting with representatives of businesses that already have a presence in Savannah, including International Dunnage, which manufactures freight securing products in Istanbul and has a sales office in Savannah.
The company’s local co-owner, David Crenshaw, said that Turkey, which extends into Europe and Asia, has a phenomenal growth rate — even after the global financial crisis. The country is an ideal prospect for expanding trade relations, Crenshaw said.
“We want to do all we can to increase business ties with Turkey,” he said.
Bordeaux said they plan on presenting a certificate of appreciation to a company that processes wood chips delivered by Savannah-based Peeples Industries, as a way to say thanks for doing business in the city.
In addition, the delegation’s itinerary includes meetings with the mayor and governor of the city of Antalya, the Turkish port authorities, the maritime chamber authorities and the World Trade Center Istanbul organization.
Unlike a personal trip he took to the country about 18 years ago, next week’s visit is not a vacation, Bordeaux said.
“These trips are valuable,” he said. “So much business is done on a face-to-face basis.”
The city is picking up the tab for Jackson’s and Bordeaux’s airfare, which amounts to a total of about $2,800, in addition to their daily travel allotment, which is $85 per day. The remaining trip expenses, such as lodging and transportation, are being covered.
Jackson said other council members were informed of the trip and were supportive. “They see the benefit of it,” she said.