Turkey’s trade minister to visit UK, Argentina

ANKARA-Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan will visit the United Kingdom and Argentina in an attempt to boost commercial ties with those countries.

Pekcan will go to London on Sept. 11 to attend the first Turkey-Britain Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) meeting after the country voted for Brexit.

The British public opted to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum, ending the country’s 44-year-long membership with the bloc. Talks with the EU on the conditions of leaving the bloc began on June 2017.

During the two-day visit, the Turkish minister will discuss a range of topics including trade and investment ties between the two countries, market entry opportunities as well as financial services.

The Turkish minister is also expected to discuss a number of issues including visa and tourism as well as energy.

A new free trade agreement between the two countries is also expected to be discussed as part of the talks, as the country prepares for Brexit.

Pekcan and Britain’s International Trade Secretary Liam Fox is expected sign the Turkey-United Kingdom JETCO memorandum of understanding during the talks.

He will also meet leading women entrepreneurs in the U.K. and inaugurate the Turkish Trade Center in London.

The Turkish Trade Center is expected to host 36 companies on informatics, design, construction and architecture.

Pekcan will also attend the Turkey-U.K. Business Forum.

The Turkish minister will head to Argentina on Sept. 14 to attend the G-20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting.

Argentina will host the G-20 Leaders’ Summit under the theme of “building consensus for fair and sustainable development” at the end of 2018.