The more democratic, stable and prosperous Turkey becomes, the better for Britain. That’s partly because countries which embrace free markets and foreign investment are good trading partners, and trade makes everyone better-off. It’s partly also because democracy, stability and prosperity tend to go together. To quote Winston Churchill, “it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that had been tried”.
Another reason we like Turkey is because Turkish companies are active throughout the region. I’ve blogged before about how our Consulate-General in Istanbul and Embassy in Ankara are working increasingly closely with colleagues in Embassies in the South Caucasus and Central Asia to boost business links, including with Turkish firms, and about other business opportunities.
Results are good: We have just linked up a British architectural practice with companies operating both in Turkey and in Azerbaijan. We’ve also signed an agreement with MUSIAD to promote UK/Turkish partnership between construction service companies in third markets (I tweeted about this on @leighturnerfco – hope you’re following – including 10 reasons to invest in Turkey). We’re planning a new partnership event with Turkish contractors working in northern Iraq later this year.
Boosting business links is good for everyone. If we can work with Turkish companies in third markets, that will be even better. Let’s get cracking.