Member Article

South East businesses head to Turkey on trade mission

As part of a trade mission organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), 15 South East companies have landed in Turkey this week, in an attempt to boost exports.

The mission aims to help companies explore the prospects in what is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Last year, over £441 million worth of goods were exported to Turkey from the South East.

During the mission companies will get the opportunity to take part in high level networking events with technology, renewable energy and healthcare companies and meet with potential local partners and companies one-to-one.

Hampshire-based manufacturers, Permabond Engineering Adhesives, were among those that secured a place on the weeklong trip.

The company, a leading manufacturer of engineering adhesives used in industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical devices and electronics, hope to identify manufacturers and distributors in Turkey.

The ISO-accredited company, which employs 20 people in Winchester and has offices in several countries, already exports to the US, Europe, and South East Asia and is keen to focus on Turkey as part of its international strategy.

The companies will also take part in a special networking reception at the British Consulate in Istanbul with Minister for Trade & Investment, Lord Livingston.

Lord Livingston said: “The Turkish Government is aiming to break into the world’s top 10 economies by 2023, and with trade between the UK and Turkey now worth over £10 billion a year the opportunities for UK companies are huge.

“We need to continue this success and market visits like this can be great door-openers for UK companies, so it is exciting to see the businesses on the trip seizing the initiative.”

Twenty-four companies in total will be on the mission. They will be in Istanbul from 23 to 27 February. It’s the fifth mission that UKTI South East have run to Turkey in the last seven years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .