Transformations  in
Business & Economics

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL TURKISH DIASPORA IN ROMANIA - A BRIDGE FOR MUTUAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Guven Gungor, Razvan Zaharia

ABSTRACT. Globalization has encouraged international labor migration and foreign investment. The fall of the Iron Curtain and the access into the European Union involved Romania in this process. This article analyzes the community of Turkish businessmen in Romania and its contribution to the development of bilateral relations. The main results show that the majority of the members of this community are satisfied with their situation in Romania, they appreciate that they live in communion with the Romanians, and have the possibility to preserve the traditions that define their ethnic identity. Also, they think they have an almost equal contribution to the economic development of both Romania and Turkey, and a significant contribution to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
They see their future linked to the development of their business in Romania and would like to be more supported by the Turkish and Romanian authorities, and by the associations that aim to develop the relations between the two countries. 

KEYWORDS: entrepreneurial migrants, economic development, Turkish Diaspora, Romania, in-depth interviews.

JEL classification: F22, J15, O15.