§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in how many business ventures British Trade International has assisted in Turkey during the last two years. [32984]
§ Mr. StrawThere are no complete records of companies who have benefited from British Trade International assistance in Turkey. The Turkey Trade Unit (TTU) of Trade Partners UK maintains a database of approximately 3,000 active records compiled initially from those companies who participated in the various activities of the "Turkey: Positioned for Business" promotional campaign, which occurred between 1998 and 2001.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what schemes exist to promote British investment in Turkey; and if he will make a statement as to their effect. [32985]
§ Mr. StrawBritish companies are able to access the full range of Trade Partners UK services when developing their business overseas. Information on these services can be found on the Trade Partners website (www.tradepartners.gov.uk). These services make no distinction between companies which are trading and those which are seeking to invest.
UK trade with Turkey has developed into a two way business of approximately £3 billion a year. Exports were down in 2001 as a result of the Turkish economic slowdown but are still expected to be around £1.2 billion while imports are expected to reach £1.8 billion. The UK was the fifth largest foreign investor in Turkey in 2001, with an investment stock of some £2.3 billion.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards British Trade International has in place to protect the interests of British investors in Turkey. [32989]
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§ Mr. StrawThe UK has an agreement for the promotion and protection of investments with the Republic of Turkey, which entered into force on 22 October 1996. That agreement provides British investors with certain rights in respect of their investments in Turkey, including the right to treatment no less favourable than that accorded by the Turkish Government to Turkish investments or the investment of the nationals in Turkey of any third state. In the event of a dispute arising between the Turkish Government and a British investor in respect of a British investment in Turkey, the British investor has the right to submit the dispute to international arbitration under the jurisdiction of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints the British embassy in Ankara has received from British(a) companies and (b) individuals investing in Turkey in the last two years. [32986]
§ Mr. StrawThe British embassy in Ankara has received very few complaints. The embassy and its consulates have, however, given advice and support to a number of British companies and individuals on how best to pursue administrative or licensing problems with the Turkish authorities, and referred such inquirers to independent legal advice when necessary.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many business ventures which were originally assisted by British Trade International are subject to legal proceedings in Turkey. [32988]
§ Mr. StrawWe do not know the numbers of business ventures originally assisted by British Trade International, which are subject to legal proceedings in Turkey, nor could such information be provided, if at all, except at disproportionate cost. Any companies who are likely to need to resort to law are encouraged to seek the advice of the British embassy in Ankara or its consulates where they may benefit from British Trade International assistance.
In the event of a commercial dispute the plaintiff is directed to seek independent legal advice and to pursue their claim through the appropriate channels.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to promote British investment in Turkey. [32987]
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UK delegation to the committee of the regions Nominees Full members Muriel Barker North East Lincolnshire (Unitary) District Derek Boden Leader of the North West Regional Assembly Ken Bodfish OBE Leader of Brighton and Hove city council Sir Albert Bore Leader of Birmingham city council Keith Brown Leader of Clackmannanshire council Rosemary Butler AM National Assembly for Wales, Newport West Ruth Coleman Executive Member of North Wiltshire county council Michael Davey Leader of Northumberland county council Sir Simon Day Chairman of Devon county council Margaret Eaton Leader of Bradford metropolitan borough council Baroness (Joan) Hanham London borough of Kensington and Chelsea Lord Hanningfield Essex county council Gordon Keymer Leader of Tanbridge district council Christine May Leader of Fife council
§ Mr. StrawThe British Government give high priority to Turkey in their trade development activities but no special plans exist to promote Turkey as a destination for UK investment. HM Government have been assisting the Turkish Government with their plans to improve the environment for foreign direct investment in Turkey.
As part of this, in January 2002 the Deputy Director-General of Foreign Investment from the Turkish Treasury, Mrs. Emil, visited the UK as a guest of HM Government to look at UK experience of promoting inward investment and regional development.