Private backing for Turkey trade links

With Government funding no longer available, the Chamber has joined forces with Hull-based John Good Group, which has taken a majority shareholding in a Turkish logistics company, and AA Global Language Services, which has provided language and translation services to the motor giant Toyota.

The chamber already has strong links with the Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and is planning to take a trade mission to Turkey in May.

Pauline Wade, director of international trade at the Hull and Humber Chamber, said: “The knowledge and expertise of the John Good Group and AA Global with regard to international trade generally and the Turkish market in particular is immense.

“Such support from the private sector is vital to the region’s international trade aspirations at a time when Government subsidies for trade missions are no longer available.”

AA Global, which is based in Worcester and expanding into Hull, is led by Turkey-born chief executive Kirk Akdemir and already has an office in Istanbul.

Alan Platt, managing director of the John Good Group, said opportunities in Turkey prompted his business to strengthen its own shipping and forwarding presence in the country.

“We had been working in Turkey for a few years when the opportunity arose to take a majority shareholding in the logistics company we were working with, so we did that,” said Mr Platt.

“Having our own operation out there has given us better customer service and more control. Our business in Turkey is increasing significantly year on year.”

Ms Wade said about 40 businesses from across Yorkshire and the Humber had already expressed interest in the trade mission. She added: “Because of the funding issues we are trying out some new models for trade missions but we have a wonderful story to tell from Yorkshire and the Humber and Turkey is a very exciting market. One of our strengths is being able to work with real businesses who are prepared to work together to help others in Yorkshire and the Humber to access new markets.”