UBM Turkey General Manager Kerim Alain Bertrand claimed that CPhI is an opportunity not to be missed for companies who want to enter the Turkish Pharma market.
Claiming that they expect more than 3,000 visitors to CPhI Istanbul including senior executives, Bertrand drew attention that in addition to CEOs, Presidents and General Managers, they expect interest from high and mid-level visitors including Project Managers, Divison Heads or Managers, Business Development Managers, Sales/Marketing Managers and Purchasing/ Procurement Managers. Conveying that furthermore, CPhI Istanbul’s doors are open to all visitors working in or related to the sector, Bertrand answered our questions.
Mr. Kerim, could you tell us about yourself?
I’m the GM of UBM Istanbul since April 2012. Before this job, I’ve served a subsidiary of another British company, Euromoney PLC as Turkey Country Manager and Middle East and Africa Region Manager. I’ve got my university degree in France and received my master’s degree in international economy. After years in France, Germany and USA, I returned to Turkey in 2006. I’m married with one child.
Could you tell us about UBM?
UBM is an event-based global marketing and communication services company and one of the leading fair and event organizers in the world. In addition to producing and distributing special content and news, the company helps customers run their businesses and to bring global sellers and buyers in events and online. The company consists of specialized groups that serve as commercial and professional communities in more than 40 countries. These groups help companies do business and achieve efficiency and productivity in their markets. UBM offers its customers opportunities to improve their business potentials by creating new business connections and helping them provide their products and services to the right markets and target audiences. With a history of 96 years and 5,500 employees, UBM is a leading event and communication services company that organizes 437 global fairs and conferences a year, brings together more than 2 million exhibitors and visitors and creates business opportunities. UBM is the leading event company in the Aurasian region with 17 fairs organized in 11 industries in Turkey every year. The company organizes Europort (with Rotterdam AHOY) – ISSA/interclean, Intertraffic (with Amsterdam RAI), Growtech, İstanbul Light, Boatshow and Boatshop. In addition, UBM’s leading global events including Fi (Food ingredients) Food Ingredients and Additivies Show, IFSEC Istanbul Fire, Security and Security Technologies Show and CPhI Drug Ingredients Show are being organized in Istanbul as the regional center for Central Asia, North Africa, Middle East and Southeastern Europe. The Mother Child and Baby Products Show – CBME Turkey, the only and biggest mother, child and baby products event in Turkey that has been running for 24 years straight, and the textile-oriented Baby and Child Ready Wear and Accessories Show – Istanbul Kids Fashion are the strongest fairs in their sectors not only in Turkey but in the whole region as well.
Could you tell us the reasons why you are organizing CPhI Istanbul? What are your goals?
First of all, I’d like to point out that CPhI Worldwide is a global event that brings more than 100,000 suppliers and buyers together. CPhI Worldwide runs in different countries and cities throughout the year. CPhI Drug Ingredients Istanbul will be held on June 4-6 2014 as a regional extension of CPhI Worldwide. Being launched in Turkey for the first time in 2014, CPhI Istanbul 2014 – Pharma and Drug Ingredients Show is the newest addition to CPhI Worldwide’s portfolio of events. decision to organize a regional CPhI Event was based on two important factors. The first factor was the increasing globalization of Turkish companies that showed interest in CPhI Worldwide. And the second was the desire of a regional audience, meaning companies in a specific region, to source from their region and neighboring countries/regions. Turkey’s current position as the sixth biggest pharmaceutical market in Europe and 16th in the world also played an important role in bringing the event to Turkey. International companies see big potential in the Turkish market; hence, they continue to invest and aim to gain a sizeable market share in the long run. And CPhI Istanbul appears as an effective means to that end. After carefully analyzing all these factors, we have decided to launch CPhI in Istanbul in 2014. We are aiming to bring numerous exhibitors and visitors from Turkey and abroad during this big event to be hosted in Istanbul. Turkey’s growing economy and Istanbul’s strategic geographical positioning as the only city in the world that bridges two continents, Europe and Asia, together with its deep economic and cultural ties to the Middle East and North Africa provides a pivotal meeting place…
Would you like to talk about UBM’s organizations in other countries?
In addition to our international events, our main goal is to organize CPhI Istanbul which is part of CPhI Worldwide, a very important global event, every year. Furthermore, we aim to organize pharma and medical equipment conferences every year. These will be organized under the CPhI brand. These sectors are the ones we as UBM are strongest in the global market.
Are you cooperating with public or private institutions for CPhI Istanbul?
CPhI Istanbul is supported by the Ministry of Health. The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (IEIS) is our official partner. We have also many Turkish and international pharma companies sponsoring the event.
What is the expected visitor profile for CPhI Istanbul?
CPhI is an opportunity not to be missed for companies who want to enter the Turkish Pharma market. We expect more than 3,000 visitors to CPhI Istanbul including senior executives. In addition to CEOs, Presidents and General Managers, we expect interest from high and mid-level visitors including Project Managers, Divison Heads or Managers, Business Development Managers, Sales/ Marketing Managers and Purchasing/Procurement Managers. Furthermore, CPhI Istanbul’s doors are open to all visitors working in or related to the sector.
What products will be showcased by exhibitors in CPhI Istanbul? What are their expectations from the event?
CPhI Istanbul will bring domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers with global raw material, machinery, packaging and contract service providers. In addition, many regional visitors who want to launch cost-efficient pharmaceuticals in their markets will have the opportunity to find suppliers and manufacturers. CPhI Istanbul aims to be a regional event and will provide a meeting point for the Southeastern Europe, Balkans, Central Asia, Middle East and North African pharma sectors. The event will provide a common platform for companies who can’t participate in CPhI Worldwide or focus on regional business development and suppliers who support these companies by providing raw materials, technology and support. The fair will be a 3-day event hosted on a fair ground of about 3 thousand sqm and will be visited by more than 4 thousand local and international visitors. A CPhI Conference will also be organized within the event. This CPhI-branded conference will be a platform where industrial problems, solutions, opportunities, latest technologies and a whole range of related topics will be discussed.
Do you have anything to add?
Turkey is in the golden era of fair organizations. The government’s increased support on the sector, the global appreciation towards Turkey’s economic potential and the investments of international companies like UBM ensure a rapid growth of the sector in Turkey. At UBM, we deem our investments in Turkey long-term investments. We are working to become the market leaders and to render Turkey a central base for the fair organization sector. UBM will significantly contribute to the development of the sector and the Turkish economy with its corporate management principles, fair pricing, and its focus on work safety and sustainability standards.