UK trade envoy to highlight business opportunities with Turkey at Chamber International videoconference

7 October 2020

 

A government trade envoy and a top international business man will be among headline speakers at a special zoom videoconference, UK-Turkey Business Forum, being hosted by Chamber International, on Thursday October 8.

Trade envoy to Turkey, Lord Robin Janvrin, (pictured right) and chief executive, Vodaphone Turkey, Colman Deegan, will take part in virtual discussions in the forum, also to be attended by Rolls Royce’s country director to Turkey and Japan’s biggest brokerage and investment bank, Nomura.

During the 1.5-hour forum, Lord Janvrin will give an update on Britain‘s free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Turkey and outline the country’s huge potential for British business.

Colman Deegan will explain what Turkey’s businesses are facing during the coronavirus pandemic, including how export and investment to Turkey will be affected, and UK Instanbul consul, Judith Slater, will outline the current business climate in the country.

The UK is Turkey’s second-largest market after Germany, with annual bilateral trade worth £18.8bn. More than 2,500 British businesses have bases in Turkey and, according to latest HMRC figures, Turkey spends more on British goods and services, than Sweden, Australia, or Saudi Arabia.

Britain and Turkey are reported to be making good progress towards an FTA with reports that the two countries are close to concluding a deal.

Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey, Chris Gaunt OBE, who will also speak at the videoconference, says: “Turkey is at a crossroads in its relationship with the UK and the EU. It is in the best interests of all parties to reach mutually-beneficial agreements, even though the FTA will also be affected by the outcome of UK/EU negotiations.

“Potential for growth in Turkey remains strong during the medium and long term, and economic fundamentals are resilient. Turkey is the hub for most major global companies serving Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, and for good reason.”

More than 70 businesses are expected to attend the event being sponsored by Turkish Airlines which comes after the UK and EU failed to agree a trade deal last week at the end of formal talks.

For more information and to register, click here.

 

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