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Chief Commercial Counsellor
Turkish Embassy, London
Can you please introduce yourself and the Turkish Embassy Office of the Commercial Counsellor?
I graduated from Middle East Technical University in 1986 and started my career the same year in the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (UFT) as an Assistant Foreign Trade Expert. Whilst I was working in UFT, I got a MSc degree from METU and an MBA degree from Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences. I also completed a post graduate study concerning EC & International Economics in Utrecht University, Netherlands. |
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My first overseas assignment was at the Turkish Embassy in Tokyo during 1993-1997. Upon completion of my duty in Tokyo, I continued my career in UFT, General Directorate of Imports with titles of Chief of Section and Head of Department. I was the Deputy General Director of Imports in Turkey before I came to London as a Chief Commercial Counselor.
The Turkish Embassy Office of the Commercial Counsellor in London is responsible for bilateral trade relations between Turkey and the UK. My office consists of three more personnel other than me. Ms.Zeynep E.Yondem is the Commercial Counsellor; Ms.Gul Umut and Ms.Didem Acar are our local staffs.
I want both countries’ business communities to know that we are here to help them and we are open to all enquiries.
How do you see the role of your office in supporting trade between Turkey and the UK?
Our primary aim is to facilitate bilateral trade relations between Turkey and the UK in every respect. I believe that the two countries are complementing each other nicely and reciprocal gains from strenghtening cooperation and trade relations are considerable.
The Trade Office works with the government authorities, business circles, network organizations, professional associations and individual companies from both countries. Also, we conduct researches on rules and procedures and market organizations, bilateral trade relations, sectors, goods and services. While doing these, we gather the most up-to-date information available and disseminate it.
We provide services both to British and Turkish companies. The companies who contact my office can get information about Turkey and Britain, on recent market trends, business opportunities and partners, business culture, sector-based details, suppliers and buyers by products, trade missions, fairs, trade standards and customs procedures. Also, we try to resolve any trade related disputes arising between companies.
How do you see the role of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry?
The Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with almost 300 members and more than 25 years of experience, is a very important and supportive organization in developing bilateral trade relations between Turkey and the UK.
Working closely with other chambers, relevant associations, governmental and non-governmental bodies both in the UK and in Turkey, TBCCI constitutes an effective platform for Turkish-British companies to represent themselves. Especially with the increasing number of networking events, seminars and trade missions, TBCCI is making a difference by creating knowledge-based opportunities for Turkish and British companies.
I believe that my office and TBCCI have lots of fruitful opportunities for improving trade relations. In this context, it is essential for us to collaborate with each other.
Can you tell us about the recent measures taken by the Turkish and UK authorities affecting trade between two countries?
Thanks to the Customs Union, the industrial goods can be traded with no customs duty between Turkey and the UK. The industrial components of the processed agricultural foods (such as confectionery) are also exempted from the customs duty. For the certain agricultural goods preferential regimes, which basically means lower customs duties, are applied. This already established framework continues to play a fundamental role in our trade relations.
The Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade continually supports market access activities targeting the UK. More specifically, participation to the exhibitions, conducting market researches, publicity activities, penetrating to the distribution channels is encouraged. To this end, establishing storage facility, opening an office, show room or shop is supported.
I have learned the Department of Trade&Industry and UK Trade&Investment have selected 10 developing countries including Turkey as their primary focus of interest in their activities. This will definitely attract more attention of the UK business circles to Turkey and create more business links between both countries.
Can you tell us about recent and prospective programmes and events related with Turkey-UK Trade?
To enhance the trade relations, my office continuously explore different opportunities to create an environment for Turkish and British businessmen to network and do business. Moreover, we work with our head office to organize events targeted to the UK market.
In 2007, Turkey will participate to different fairs with national pavilions. The closest events are the Pure London Show on women’s wear (11-13 February) and the International Food Exhibition (18-21 March). Our office also works with regional chambers to organize awareness events and other sector specific organisations about Turkey for their business communities. Within this context, we are working on a seminar to be held in Cardiff in March.
Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade also organizes Buyers’ Mission Programs for British companies and they are usually organised to coincide with a related international fair in Turkey. The aim of Buyers’ Mission is to facilitate establishment of trade relations between prospective importers and Turkish exporters. The closest missions are for the Fresh Antalya 2007 Trade Exhibition for fresh fruits, vegetables, logistics and technologies (27-31 March 2007), the International Istanbul Fashion Fair (6-10 February 2007), the Private Label Products and Store Brands Exhibitions (13-17 March 2007), Subcontracting Exhibition (27 February-3 March 2007), International Textiles and Accessories Fair (6-10 March 2007) and the Furniture Side Industry, Accessories, Forestry Products and Wood Technology Fair (17-21 April 2007).
What would you like to conclude on Turkey-UK trade relations?
UK is one of the most important countries for Turkey in terms of the trade and economic relations. Currently, the monthly value of goods traded between the two countries is around 530 million GBP each month, which is increasing steadily. At this point, I would also like to note that, since 2001, there exists a trade surplus in favour of Turkey. UK exports to Turkey is around 200 million pounds, while imports from Turkey is around 330 million pounds.
UK is the second largest export and the eight largest import market for Turkey. When we look at the trade relations from the UK side, Turkey is the nineteenth import market with 1.3 % share and twentieth export market with 1 % share. Also, there are a lot of firms making investments in each others’ countries.
I believe that there these relations can be improved further and this will strengthen each country’s economy. Along with the sectors with already high shares in imports from Turkey like TV receivers, knitted clothing, trousers and suits, automotive and spare parts, home electronics or fiber optical cables, there are also opportunities in sectors like information technologies, telecommunication, engineering, furniture, organic products or healthcare services.
Our primary objective is to develop trade relations in a mutually profitable manner for both countries and to create a favourable country brand by associating the terms “quality” and “made in Turkey”. The more promotional campaigns we make and the more diversification we achieve in exports, the closer we get towards reaching this objective.
Thank you
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