Turkey offers excellent opportunities for trade and investment across a range of sectors. The Turkish economy has recovered quickly from a financial crisis in 2001 and has enjoyed strong growth rates over the last few years including 9.9% in 2004 with growth averaging 7.3% since 2004.

Growth has been driven in the last two years by an increase in private sector investment and domestic demand. Turkey is the world's 17th and Europe’s 6th largest economy. The IMF projects Turkey’s Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) adjusted GNP at $ 708 billion in 2007 and $755 billion in 2008. Turkey’s GNP is expected to surpass Australia in 2008 and become one of the top 10 economies in the world by 2050.

The mission will be based in Istanbul where specific sectors identified offering opportunity include Environment, Water, Financial Services, ICT, Construction, Agriculture, and Transport.

This trade mission will offer companies the chance to visit this rapidly expanding market which also offers itself as an important gateway to the Middle East and its neighbouring countries.

The trade mission will be based in Istanbul from Monday 2 to Thursday 5 February 2009. Twelve grants of £250 are available for SMEs that are new exporters to this market, to companies that have no previous exports to the market within 12 months, to companies whose turnover from exports is less than 25% of total turnover, and who do not have existing representation in the market.This funding is provided by UK Trade & Investment via Scottish Development International.

Please note that we are unable to confirm places on the mission or eligibility for the financial assistance until a few days after the cut off date.

A mission briefing will be held at the British Consulate at 9am on the Monday morning with an evening reception planned for that evening.

Flexibility is the key on an SCDI trade mission. The briefing meeting and reception are the only two group meetings that you must attend. You are entirely free to pursue your own business objectives and include your visit in a wider itinerary if you wish. Preliminary market research, appointing an agent, researching possible joint ventures – these are all valid reasons for participation for manufacturing, importing and service companies alike. Any company representing any business sector can participate on this mission.

A wide range of chargeable export support services is available through Scottish Development International/UK Trade & Investment.  The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce has also offered to assist participants with information and match-making facilities. Please detail in full the assistance you require on your application form and further information will be forwarded to you upon receipt of your application.

Accommodation has been reserved at 5 Hyatt Hotel with a special rate offered of 115 Euros inclusive of breakfast and tax (approx £89 at the current rate of exchange) per night. This is an excellent rate for a hotel of this standard within the city centre. There are several options to fly to Istanbul including BA, KLM and Turkish Airlines. Further details will be forwarded to you on application.