INTERVIEW WITH HUSEYIN ÖZER Hüseyin Özer, creator of Sofra and Özer restaurants and a Sustaining member of the TBCCI, gave an interview to the Chamber Newsletter talking about the remarkable story of his transition from a very modest background in Turkey to the high profile restaurateur he is known today in the UK. Hüseyin Özer also talked about the history of his restaurant business, his outlook and lifestyle as a creator and as a businessman. To view the interview with Mr Özer, click here for the English version click here for the Turkish version.

Interview English Version Interview Turkish Version

INTERVIEW WITH ÇIGDEM ADAN Çigdem Adan, Managing Director of Mediterranean Stones Ltd, a new member of the TBCCI, in her interview with the Chamber Newsletter talked about their tile, stone, marble, limestone, granite, slate and porcelain products and the services they offer for the maintenance, repair and cleaning of these products. Çigdem Adan also discussed the history of stones and tiles and the trends and challenges faced in this sector. To view the interview with Ms Adan, click here for the English version click here for the Turkish version.

Interview English Version Interview Turkish Version

TBCCI ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATION OF ATR & EUR1 MOVEMENT CERTIFICATES AND CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN

From 17 October 2009, TBCCI will commence certifying documents electronically (e-Certification).  The documents which can be certified will include ATRs, EUR1 Movement Certificates and Certificates of Origin, as well as being able to verify the signature on many other documents. This new service will enable exporters from the UK to get their export documents for Turkey certified online. The exporter will not have to post or leave their office but will simply log on to the e-Cert system, complete the documentation and submit it to the Chamber.  TBCCI will receive the forms, check through them and stamp and sign them electronically and finally return to the exporter for printing out, or TBCCI can print and certify the documents and return them to you by post if the importer requires original stamps and signatures.

This service will save the exporter courier costs, manpower and resources and shorten the document processing time, increase accuracy and remove the need for repetitive typing, by storing the information on a secure database for future access, at no extra cost.  If the exporter requires other documents to be certified, the e-Cert system also allows you to up-load a scanned document into the system so that the chamber can verify the signature and again this will be returned electronically.


E-CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP, THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2009
To help Exporters become fully conversant with this new system, TBCCI are holding an e-Cert Workshop on Thursday, 15 October.  The workshop will be presented by i2i (Innovate to Integrate), the system supplier, and the Certification Training Executive from the British Chambers of Commerce.  The workshop will explain how the system works and will give you all the information you need to be able to use this electronic system.  You will also be given the opportunity to ask as many questions as necessary and to register on the system so that when you get back to the office you will be ready to start preparing your documents to submit them electronically to the chamber.

We recommend that two people from each company attend to make sure you become fully conversant with the system.  Please arrange to arrive by 10.0 am for registration for a 10.30 am start.

Date: Thursday, 15 October 2009
Registration: 10:00 am
Start: 10:30
Venue: TBCCI Conference Room (For directions, click TBCCI Map)
To register, contact us at export@tbcci.org or call 020 7321 0999
Members: £15.00
Non-members: £25.00


CHANGES TO COMPANIES ACT; 1 OCTOBER 2009
Changes to The Companies Act 2006 will become effective from 1 October 2009 affecting every company operating in the United Kingdom. Companies House is writing to companies to advise about the final implementation on 1st October 2009. A letter and brief guide will be sent by the Companies House to every registered office address during August and September 2009.

The main changes for Private Limited Companies
(Some of the changes have already taken place)

• There will be separate and simpler model Articles of Association for private companies.
• As part of the "think small first" agenda, there will be a separate, comprehensive "code" of accounting and reporting requirements for small companies.
• Private companies will not be required to have a company secretary.
• Private companies will not need to hold an annual general meeting unless they positively opt to do so.
• It will be easier for companies to take decisions by written resolutions.
• There will be simpler rules on share capital, removing provisions that are largely irrelevant to the vast majority of private companies and their creditors.

Further details can be found on the website Changes to Companies Act 1 Oct 2009


TRADE MISSION TO TURKEY, 1-6 NOVEMBER 2009, ISTANBUL
TBCCI and UK Trade and Investment are jointly organising a Trade Mission to Turkey between 2-6 November 2009 in Istanbul.  TBCCI and UK Trade and Investment will lead a delegation to meet with government and business leaders in Turkey and host networking events, one-to-one meetings and business receptions for potential investors. The delegation will include businesses from various regions of England, specialised in:

• Energy and Gas Information and Communication Technologies  (ICT) Environment
• Education and Training

Other sectors may be added to the event in due course. The mission will be supported by the British Embassy and Consulate in Turkey and Turkish trade associations and bodies. If you are a UK business wishing to join the trade delegation from the UK or if you are a Turkish company intending to participate the events and meetings in Istanbul, please contact us info@tbcci.org.


UK TURKEY EXPORT IMPORT TRADE 2009:
Turkey exports to the UK: In July 2009, the rate of decline of Turkey exports to UK slowed down to 19.3%, which was 45.3% in the first six months period January-June 2009. In the cumulative period to the end of July this year, Turkey exports to UK shrunk by 50.1%.
UK exports to Turkey: UK exports to Turkey was 43.7% down in July 2009 and declined by 41.4% in the cumulative period to the end of July this year over the same periods last year.

[ Value: Million US $ ]

Export: Exports from the UK to Turkey
Import: UK imports from Turkey
Source: Turkish Statistical Institute; TUIK

UK TURKEY TRADE DATA 2001-2008

NUMBER OF UK VISITORS TO TURKEY
In the January-July seven months period in 2009, the number of visitors from the UK to Turkey was 1.277.472, recaording and increase of %11. Most popular Turkish destinations for UK visitors were Bodrum (+10&), Antalya (+15%) and Istanbul (+23%).

TBCCI MEMBERS RECEPTION 6 NOVEMBER 2009, ISTANBUL
Date: Friday, 6 November 2009
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: Pera premises, British Consulate Istanbul
This will be an evening reception where TBCCI members from Turkey will meet and network among Board and fellow-Chamber members, new members joining the Chamber, the Directors of the Board, British diplomatic mission in Turkey, representatives of Turkish trade associations and government and delegates from the Trade Mission. If TBCCI members wish to join this reception, please let us know at info@tbcci.org.


TURKEY UK BUSINESS DAY 6 NOVEMBER 2009, ISTANBUL
Date: Friday, 6 November 2009
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: TBA
The conference on Doing Business with Turkey and the UK has also moved from Friday, 25 September to Friday, 6 November 2009. Updates will be available soon.  


TBCCI ANNUAL BALL SATURDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2009, LONDON
Venue: The Royal Garden Hotel, Palace Suite
Guest Speakers at the TBCCI Annual Ball
Mehmet Simsek, The Minister of Finance, Turkey
Rt. Hon Jack Straw MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Sir David Logan KCMG, Former British Ambassador to Turkey
Shared Tables Feature: You can buy standard and sponsored tables for 10 or 11 or 12 persons, or you can share a standard or sponsored table for 6 persons
To register or for more information, see 2009 Annual Ball
To book Online, click Online Booking


TURKISH INVESTMENT SUMMIT, 20-22 October 2009, LONDON

Summit Organiser: Adam Smith Conferences
TBCCI is a Supporting Organisation
TBCCI members will be eligible to 20% discount
To register or for more information click here.


CARBON MARKETS, 29-30 SEPTEMBER 2009, ISTANBUL

Conference Organiser: GreenPower Conferences
Venue: Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul
TBCCI is a Supporting Organisation
TBCCI members will be eligible to 20% discount
To register or for more information, click here.


REGULATIONS, FINANCE & INVESTMENT IN EUROPE'S NEW GEOTHERMAL MARKETS

Venue: Munich, Germany: 
Date: 24, December 2009
The Official Conference of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC)
Further information on this conference will be announced shortly


UK TAX DEADLINES SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2009

• 30 Sep - End of CT61 quarterly period.
• 1 Oct - Corporation Tax due for the period ended 31 Dec 2008
• 5 Oct - Notification of HMRC by Individuals/trustees of new sources of income-chargeability in 2008/09 if a Tax Return has not been received.
• 14 Oct - Due date for income tax for the CT61 quarter to 30 Sep 2009
• 19/22 Oct - Quarter 2 2009/10 PAYE remittance due.
• 31 Oct - Last day to file 2009 paper Tax Return.

For more information on these taxation matters, select from the links indicated in our website Tax Deadlines: Sep & Oct 2009.


LEGAL ARTICLES BY MEMBERS
Below is a selection of articles written by members of the TBCCI about legal aspects of business matters about the Uk and Turkey.

• Doing Business in the UK, Bargate Murray Solicitors, London
• Public-Private Sector Partnership Models In Turkey, Fazlioglu Law, Istanbul

Members are invited to publish their articles on areas of their expertise on the TBCCI website.


TURKISH FESTIVALS IN LONDON
The 15th London Turkish Film Festival
Between 5-19 November this year, over 8,000 people are expected to attend sixty screenings of up to 20 different feature films.
Turkey at Mayor's Thames Festival
12 & 13 September 2009 - Turkey will be featuring at the Thames Festival in London this year on 12th and 13th September on the South Bank
For more information, select from the links above or visit the official website of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the UK at www.gototurkey.co.uk


TBCCI NEW MEMBERS

Click on a Member Link to view contacts and business profile.

Kind regards
TBCCI