Şimşek was speaking at a press conference held at the Türkevi in New York after meeting with nearly 400 investors and fund managers in a series of meetings organized by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Mehmet Şimşek explained that over he has met both one on one and in groups with 400 fund managers in London and New York in a series of meetings that lasted the past four days. "These funds manage nearly ten trillion dollars in resources in developing nations such as Turkey," stated Şimşek.
An interesting exchange of dialogue occurred during one of Şimşek's meetings held in the US. One portfolio manager said to Şimşek, "Mr. Minister, you can hit me now." Şimşek was of course taken aback yet then responded, "I criticized you two years ago due to your monetary policy. Now, after the measures you have taken, I believe you are worthy of a Nobel Prize. As a prize to me, you can hit me," said Şimşek.