Turkey’s Exports to the UK Reach Record High of Over $11.5 Billion
Turkey and the United Kingdom Strengthen Trade Relations and Increase Exports
Turkey and the United Kingdom are continuing to work together to increase trade volume, encourage investments, and strengthen cooperation. Last month, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Azerbaijan during the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) World Leaders Climate Summit of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change. Discussions at the meeting focused on bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues, with a commitment to enhancing relations between the two countries and boosting trade volume.
In light of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (EU) and the post-Brexit period, efforts are underway to expand the current Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Turkey and the UK. This expanded FTA is expected to include investments, additional agricultural concessions, and provide a stronger legal basis for Turkish and British businesses. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding on “Energy and Climate Dialogue” was signed between the two countries last month.
According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Turkey’s exports to the United Kingdom have increased by 12.2 percent from January to November compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 11 billion 642.3 million dollars. The automotive industry led exports to the UK with 3.8 billion dollars, followed by electrical and electronics, ready-made clothing, chemicals, and steel.
In terms of total exports by sector, the automotive industry saw the largest increase in exports to the United Kingdom during the January-November period. Istanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Izmir, and Manisa were the top exporting provinces to the UK, with Istanbul leading the way with 4.4 billion dollars in exports.
Overall, Turkey and the United Kingdom are working together to strengthen their trade relations and increase exports, with a focus on expanding the FTA and promoting cooperation in energy and climate initiatives. These efforts are expected to further enhance collaboration between the two countries and drive economic growth in both nations.
