The openings reflect a decision by Ankara to increase the country’s number of trade counselors to 250 from 115, Yüksel Akça, head trade counselor at the Turkish Embassy in London, told the Anatolia news agency.
“Thus, we will serve Turks, Brits and companies that wish to invest in Turkey in the north, center and south of the U.K.,” Akça said, adding that Birmingham and Edinburgh serve as key centers of trade.
The Turkish official, however, said the U.K. economy remains in a dire situation after the 2008 global crisis. “This year, gross domestic product is expected to grow a meager 1.2 percent, the lowest among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD]. Still, the U.K. is the seventh largest economy in the world, and ranks only after Germany in Europe. It is also the 10th biggest exporter and sixth biggest importer.”
Last year, 15 percent of Turkish exports were destined for the UK, making the country Turkey’s second-biggest market.
“Despite all odds in the general economy, our exports to the U.K. rose by 20 percent in the first seven months of this year,” Akça said. “For many industrial products, the U.K. stands as the number one market for Turkey.”
On Sept. 9, a joint economy and trade meeting will be held in Istanbul. The event is expected to bring together more than 300 businesspeople from the U.K. and Turkey. Vince Cable, the business secretary in the U.K. Cabinet, will also come to Turkey on a four-day trip starting Sept. 26, leading a delegation of key businesspeople from various sectors. |
Source : hurriyetdailynews.com
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