11 January 2012
Lord Mayor's visit to Turkey highlights potential of Turkish
market
The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton, is
heading a large business delegation to Turkey (15-19 January) in
order to demonstrate London and the UK as a key partner of choice
when it comes to financial, professional and business services.
The visit to Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara will continue the
process of boosting bilateral ties as part of a concerted effort to
achieve David Cameron’s target of doubling bilateral trade between
the UK and Turkey from $9 billion to $18 billion by 2015.
During the visit the Lord Mayor will meet with the Turkish
President Abdullah Gül (whom he hosted at a Guildhall State Banquet
last November), Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and Minister of
Economy, Zafer Caglayan, business leaders and leading legal
practitioners.
Lord Mayor David Wootton, who is the ambassador for UK-based
financial and professional services industry, said:
“As the Eastern and Western international gateways into Europe,
Turkey and the UK share several areas of common strategic interest.
Our financial and commercial ties are particularly crucial, which
is why I hope this visit will help to facilitate the two-way flow
of trade and investment that will deliver jobs and growth in both
countries.
“Turkey is already Europe’s fastest growing economy and a market
that British companies cannot afford to overlook. London remains a
leading global financial centre and the single most internationally
focused financial market place in the world. We have a wealth of
expertise and innovative financing models that could benefit Turkey
and help fulfil the Government’s key priority of making Istanbul
one of the top 10 financial centres by 2023.
“We view this relationship very much as one of sharing skills
and experiences to grow both financial sectors. Closer partnership
will support the goal of economic diversification, growth and
infrastructure development."
Discussions on potential closer cooperation will focus on areas
including: strengthening ties between the UK/Turkish financial and
professional service sectors, the development of Istanbul as a
financial centre, dispute resolution, Infrastructure development
and PPP (public-private partnerships), maritime sector, ETQ
(education, training and qualifications).
The Lord Mayor will travel with a business delegation of around
20 people which includes senior representatives of investment
banks, asset managers, insurers and law firms.
Ends
Notes to editors
About the Lord Mayor of the City of
London:
The Lord Mayor is elected for one year and the position is unpaid
and apolitical. The Lord Mayor spends some 90 days abroad leading
delegations to key fast-growing markets and addresses some 10,000
people face-to-face each month (making around 800 speeches a year).
The Lord Mayor listens to City and UK businesses and helps the City
Corporation advise the Government of the day on what is needed to
help the UK-based financial, professional, and business services
sector to function well. The Lord Mayor frequently travels to
represent the City and UK businesses; and travels overseas with the
status of a Cabinet Minister. On average, the Lord Mayor will meet
one head of state a month and will meet a prime minister or finance
minister each week to discuss City and UK business , often in
conjunction with senior City business representatives. The Lord
Mayor, who is unpaid, lives in the Mansion House, for the Mayoral
year.
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City – the business district at the
heart of London - as a world leader in international finance and
business services and provides local services and policing for
those working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also
provides valued services to London and the nation. These include
the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama;
the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and London Metropolitan
Archive; a range of education provision (including three City
Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and the
Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over
10,000 acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping
Forest), and three wholesale food markets. It is also London’s Port
Health Authority and runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow.
It works in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on the
regeneration of surrounding areas and the City Bridge Trust, which
it oversees, donates more than £15m to charity annually.
Media contacts:
Sanjay Odedra, Press Office, City of London Corporation
T +44 (0)20 7332 1835 /
M +44 (0)7831 542 856
Email
sanjay.odedra@cityoflondon.gov.uk