Turkish dramas focus of interest in Latin America

Turkey has exceeded $100,000 million in return from Turkish TV drama exports in recent years, and is now getting ready to collaborate with Latin American countries to enhance the industry, daily Hürriyet has reported.  

The Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) has been in efforts to mobilize and increase the contribution of Turkish dramas to tourism and trade. 

"Projects with Latin American countries will contribute both to Turkey's promotion and create a warm environment to increase trade," said Aykut Eken, the chairman of DEİK Turkish-American Business Council. 

Eken said Turkish TV dramas were among a list of key items on the agenda at a DEİK America Business Councils Chairmen Coordination meeting. 

"Turkey's total foreign trade volume with 33 Latin American countries is about $9 billion. It was only $2 billion in 2006. We are working to increase this amount every year. Turkey is popularly known in Latin American countries. There are lots of investment opportunities for Turkish businessmen there. We can export to Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela or Costa Rica," he said. 

"We introduced Turkey with TV series exports, which have exceeded $100 million. They make great contributions to promotion and tourism. Representatives of Latin American countries have also attended the meeting. We held talks on making a joint TV series with these countries. They will draw more audiences and also revive tourism. Many of the Turkish artists are famous in Latin American countries. We can include them in this work," he said. 

'Telenovelas Turcas'

Cultural relations with Argentina are being improved thanks to the Turkish soap operas. 

Turkish dramas, which are known in the country as "Telenovelas...