Turkish Scottish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) and Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) signed a partnership agreement.

A new collaboration aimed at enhancing business and trade between Scotland and Turkey has been established.

The Turkish Scottish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) and Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) signed a new partnership agreement in Edinburgh.

The agreement signifies a significant step for TSCC in representing the interests of the Scottish-Turkish business community and marks the beginning of a new collaboration between the two institutions to promote and strengthen economic and trade relations between Scotland and Turkey.

Both TSCC and SCC agreed to promote commercial and economic cooperation, facilitate the exchange of trade and business delegations, and jointly participate in trade and industry fairs and conferences.

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, President of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, stated, "The 2020 Trade Agreement between the UK and Turkey was signed during the quarantine period. Many businesses didn't realize its potential due to the pandemic. Now, with the lifting of restrictions, we have a real opportunity to boost trade and investment between Scotland and Turkey."

TSCC President Şahin Fırat said, "This agreement marks a shift in TSCC's role in representing the interests of the Scottish-Turkish business world, and we look forward to working closely with our colleagues at SCC."

Speaking at the Signing Ceremony, Commercial Counsellor Tarık Sönmez from the Turkish Republic Embassy in the UK stated, "The value of trade between the UK and Turkey is over £18 billion, and Scotland holds a significant position in bilateral trade, especially in electric power generation equipment, textile, and clothing trade."

Foysol Choudhury MSP, Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe, and International Development, expressed his special interest in ethnic minority businesses in Scotland and his strong connections within the Turkish-Scottish business community. He praised TSCC for their efforts in representing this community.

The agreement between TSCC and SCC was attended by Turkish Grand National Assembly Member Fatih Toprak and Member of the European Union Harmonization Committee and Member of the Turkish-European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee, Ordu Deputy Ergün Taşçı. AK Party Adıyaman Deputy Fatih Toprak, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the AK Party Central Election Affairs, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Justice Committee, and Chairman of the Turkey-Austria Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, supported the Signing Ceremony and highlighted the meaningful visit they had to Scotland, where they were welcomed at the Scottish Parliament and explored economically interesting places.

The event was hosted by Lord Provost Cllr Deputy Lezley Marion Cameron at the Edinburgh City Chambers, representing the Edinburgh City Council.

By the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, the total trade of goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Turkey amounted to £18.1 billion, showing a 20.2% increase or £3.0 billion compared to the same period in 2020. Within this £18.1 billion:

• The total exports of the UK to Turkey during the fourth quarter of 2021 were £6.5 billion (showing a 9.8% increase or £580 million compared to the same period in 2020);

• The total imports of the UK from Turkey during the fourth quarter of 2021 were £11.6 billion (showing a 26.8% increase or £2.5 billion compared to the same period in 2020).

Turkey was the 18th largest trading partner of the UK by the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, accounting for 1.4% of the total UK trade.

In 2020, the direct foreign investment (DFI) stock from the UK to Turkey was £7.1 billion, representing 0.4% of the total outward DFI stock from the UK.

In 2020, the DFI stock from Turkey to the UK was £260 million.

The Signing Ceremony of the two institutions was attended by TSCC President Şahin Fırat and SCC CEO Dr Liz Cameron CBE, along with Turkish Republic Embassy Trade Advisor Tarık Sönmez, Members of Parliament Fatih Toprak and Ergün Taşçı, Deputy Governor of Edinburgh Lezley Marion Cameron, Edinburgh City Council Leader Cllr Cammy Day, Ros Wardley-Smith Scottish Chambers of Commerce International Trade Executive, Andrew McCrae Federation of Small Businesses Chair Scottish Policy Group, Cammy Day City of Edinburgh Council Council Leader, Esin Tuzun Turkish Airlines Sales and Marketing Executive, Al Bryce City of Edinburgh Council Representing the Head of Business Growth and Inclusion, Gokhan Haciibrahimoglu Turkish Airlines General Manager Scotland, Hatice Tugba ikizler Turkish Consular Office Deputy Consul General, Jim Galloway TSCC General Secretary TSCC, Leonard Thomson TSCC Director TSCC, Muzaffer Emek TSCC Director TSCC, Nafi Cemal Tosyali Turkish Consular Office Consul General, Steve Kerr DIT Scotland North America Lead, Scott Robertson TSCC Director TSCC, Tarik Sonmez Turkish Embassy Chief Commercial Counsellor, and Sahin Firat TSCC President. Lydia Divett from Royal Bank of Scotland, Foysol Choudhury MSP, representing Mr Ivan McKee MSP, and Teja Bapuram from International Trade and Investment Scottish Government also attended the event.