Background
He was born on the 15th of February 1944 in Savur, Mardin, Turkey.
He was born on the 15th of February 1944 in Savur, Mardin, Turkey.
After his graduation from Faculty of Chemistry of Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, he completed the doctorate program of Faculty of Management of Istanbul University.
He worked as an assistant in the Chair of Industrial Inorganic Chemistry between 1973 and 1976. He was the president of the Istanbul Chamber of Chemical Engineers between 1972 and 1974 and the president of Kimsan Labor Union in 1973. Doctor Erdem began his business life in 1965.
Currently he is the president of the board of directors of the following companies:
Erdem Holdings
General-Pa General Marketing
Ertel Erdem Telecommunications
Erdem Computer
Erdem Petrol Limited
ERMEKS-Emergency Distribution and Foreign Trade (free zone)
Erdem Insurance
Erdem Golf and Tourism Investments
AGDAŞ Natural Gas Distribution
ERDEM Education, Culture and Social Help Pious Foundation
Chairman of Turkish-Spanish Business Council, since 1992
Vice Chairman of Turkish–French Business Council
Honorary President of TABA AmCham (Turkish American Business Association)
Vice Chairman of Turkish–Iraqi Business Council
Former president of the Club of Rome Turkey,
Secretary General of the Turgut Özal Research Foundation for Intellectual Idea Development
On 29 June 2000 he was also honored by Omar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan with a legion of honor.
Doctor Erdem served two terms as Chairman of the Turkish-American Businessmen Association,TABA, an accredited American Chamber of Commerce in Turkey. Since 1996 he is also a "Commander of the Order of the Spanish Civil Merit" as bestowed by H.M King Juan Carlos I of Spain.
He is closely affiliated with sports, especially with golf. Doctor Zeynel Abidin Erdem is married and has two children.
Doctor Erdem is also member of the following associations:
Member of the Executive Board of DEIK – Foreign Economic Relations Council
Member of Turkish Belgium Commercial Association
Member of the Chemistry Foundation of Turkey
Doctor Erdem continues his social services through his presidency at the MAREV – Association of Businessmen of Mardin and as former chairman and member of the Association of Yüzyıl Işıl High Schools. He is a member of the Global Advisory Board of the George Washington University. He is an active member of the Board of Directors of Federation of Golf and the Board of Directors of Federation Sailing.