Sydney to host Turkish Prime Minister and business delegation

Austrade media release

8 December 2005

Sydney businesses encouraged to attend unique international networking opportunity

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will lead the largest-ever business delegation from Turkey to visit Australia and will attend a business forum being held in Sydney on Friday December 9.

Prime Minister Erdogan will deliver the keynote address to the Turkish-Australian Business Forum in Sydney which will be attended by more than 100 representatives from leading Turkish companies, unions and associations to meet with Australian businesses and to strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.

Austrade is working to match some of Turkey's top tier companies accompanying Prime Minister Erdogan with Australian exporters and investors. During the past year, Austrade has assisted 22 Australian companies and generated $280 million in trade and investment to Turkey.

Highlighting the developing trade relationship between Australia and Turkey was the recently announced successful Austrade-assisted bid by ship builder Austal for the $145 million contract to build two passenger ferries for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

The forum has been organised by the Turkish Consulate-General in Sydney, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, Foreign Relations Economic Relations Board in collaboration with Austrade and the State Chamber of Commerce (NSW).

Austrade Chief Economist, Tim Harcourt, said: “Turkey’s economic growth prospects are robust, with annual growths rates expected to hover around the 5 per cent mark. Turkey’s expanding and modernising economy, with its 72 million residents, positions it as an increasingly important export market for Australian companies.”

Austrade Regional Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, John Finnin, said: “Nearly 300 Australian exporters are doing business with Turkey generating $425 million in sales across a variety of sectors including oil and gas, infrastructure, ICT, and food and beverage with a growing presence in services areas such as education, healthcare and recreation.”

Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Istanbul, Damian Fisher, said: “The Turkish companies in the delegation manufacture, import and export a wide range of products and services in agriculture, engineering, medical technology, tourism. The Melbourne business forum offers Australian companies a unique opportunity to promote their expertise in these fields and generate new export opportunities.”

Turkey has had a Customs Union with the European Union since 1996 and in October this year commenced accession negotiations for full membership.

The business forum is being held at the InterContinental Sydney, Corner of Bridge and Phillip Streets, Sydney, between 11:00am and 3:00pm.

Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Istanbul is available for media interviews

More information and registration details available from:

Turkish Consulate General
Commercial Attache's Office
Phone: (02) 9327 6639
Email: dtsid@bigpond.net.au
Web: www.counsellors.gov.tr

Media Contact

Adam Blight, Austrade
Tel: +61 2 9390 2336