Kamhi, Jak V.

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KAMHI, JAK V.

KAMHI, JAK V. (1925– ), Turkish industrialist. Born in Istanbul, Kamhi graduated as an engineer from Yıldız Technical University, becoming chairman of the board of the Profilo Group of companies. He was an adviser to the prime ministry of Turkey for Turkey-eu and Turkey-U.S. relations. He was the founding chairman of the Quincentennial Foundation, which was established in 1989 with the purpose of celebrating the arrival of the Sephardim exiled in 1492 to the Ottoman lands; and he lobbied on behalf of the Turkish Republic, especially in the U.S., where Turkey was severely criticized for denying the Armenian genocide and for the infringement of human rights. He was given several awards, including the High Service Award from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Légion d'Honneur, and the rank of commander in the National Order of Merit from the president of the French Republic and the commander of the Order of Spanish Civil Merit from the king of Spain.

[Rifat Bali (2nd ed.)]