ADANA - The Mediterranean Fruit Company (MFC), an Italian consortium formed by 27 firms, tried to establish a ``bridge`` between Turkish exporters and the European markets, it was said.
In an interview with the A.A, Didem Gorgun, the representative of the MFC in Turkey, said on Monday, ``the MFC opened an office in southern province of Adana, and held a series of meetings with Turkish exporters in the provinces of Adana, Mersin, Antakya, Istanbul and Izmir. As a result, talks have started between Turkish and Italian fruit exporters and were focussed on exports of fruits from Turkey to Italy and purchase of packing materials from Italy.``
``A team was formed to control quality of the products to be exported from Turkey to Italy. Training of the Turkish farmers has also begun in Italy. I believe that Turkish producers and thereby Turkish economy will benefit as a result of marketing of Turkish agricultural products of high quality in Europe under the label of MFC,`` she said.
Gorgun added, ``the MFC is planning to open offices in all Mediterranean countries. It is marketing products branded `Made in Blue`, symbolizing the blue waters of the Mediterranean and with sticker of producer countries.``
Italy-based MFC was established in December 2002 to develop cooperation among Mediterranean countries in fruit sector. Initially consisting of 16 companies, MFC now comprises 27, and its corporate capital grew from 400,000 euros to 1,000,000 euros.
(UK-ULG) 05.07.2004