UK Minister for Exports Mike Freer was in Turkey last week speaking with officials and meeting ministers as the UK and Turkey look to strengthen trade relations.
The two countries signed a Free Trade Agreement in December of 2020 following the UK’s exit from the EU. Freer was in Ankara where discussions were held with the aim to improve the Free Trade Agreement and look at new opportunities to increase trade relations.
During his visit Minister Freer meet held a meeting with Turkish Trade Minister Mehmet Mus, Turkish Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Ömer Fatih Sayan, Turkish Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir, Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu as well as meeting with businesses trading with the UK.
In a statement to Londra Gazete Minister for Exports, Mike Freer said: “The UK and Turkey enjoy a long-standing and fruitful trading relationship, which is why it’s so great to be in Ankara and Istanbul on this visit. We already trade £18.1 billion worth of goods and services each year between our two nations and we are always on the lookout for further opportunities to see that rise. It’s through visits like these that we can highlight, celebrate and grow on the benefits and values of trade between both countries.
“Turkey is one of the top investors in the UK and we export more than £6 billion of goods and services in return each year. We recently announced a major £1.7 billion deal to get British businesses involved in the construction of a 503km high-speed electric railway, which shows just how seriously we’re taking Turkish trade.
Adding “Turkish businesses in the UK give so much back to their local communities, and we want to see more of these small businesses thriving, which is why SMEs can access the Export Support Service for information about exporting abroad.”
