Turkey

Brief Fact File

Capital	Ankara
Currency	Turkish Lira (TRL), New Turkish Lira (YTL) after 1 January 2005
Language(s)	Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek
Local time	GMT + 02:00
Telephone code	90
Major cities	Istanbul, Izmir, Adana

Economy
The economy of Turkey is a mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector. Private sector is very strong and growing rapidly. The largest industrial sector is textiles and clothing accounting for 1/3rd of industrial employment with a stiff competition in international market. Other sectors, like automotive and electronics industries are rising in importance within the country's export mix. Turkey signed a free trade agreement with the EU which came into effect in 1996. The top three import partners are Germany, Russia and Italy. Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom are the top three export partners.

Major Exports:

• Apparel
  
• Foodstuffs
  
• Textiles
  
• Metal Manufactures
  
• Transport Equipment

Major Imports:

• Machinery
  
• Chemicals
  
• Semi-Finished Goods
  
• Fuels
  
• Transport Equipment

Business Practices

Business Dress

• Business dress is conservative. They expect the visitor to wear a suit and tie. Similarly women should wear smart professional outfits.
  
• In summer months, and especially in the cities of Istanbul, Izmir and Anakara the weather is very hot and humid. It is acceptable to just wear a shirt with trousers and in most cases not to wear a tie.
  
• Outside the big cities and especially in the East of Turkey men and women should wear more conservative clothing. Women are advised to refrain from exposing their legs and arms and to ensure clothes are not tight-fitting. Men should not wear shorts.

Communication Guidelines

• They prefer to do business with those they know and respect, therefore spend time establishing a personal relationship.
  
• Relationships are fostered in the office, over extended lunches, dinners, and social outings.
  
• Courtesy is crucial in business dealings.
  
• They do not require as much personal space as many other cultures and will stand close to while conversing.
  
• Discussions may start slowly, with many questions that may seem irrelevant to the purpose of one's visit. It is extremely rude to insist that your colleagues get to the point.
  
• Ask about his/her family without prying. Questions about children are welcomed.
  
• They are proud of their country and will enjoy answering questions on their culture and history although be sure to avoid political history.
  
• Most men over there love football (soccer) and usually support one of three teams: Galatasaray, Beþiktaþ or Fenerbahçe. Asking after their team's recent fortunes will always produce lively and animate responses.
  
• Once a relationship has been established, communication is direct.
  
• It is vital that you maintain eye contact while speaking since they take this as a sign of sincerity.

Business Hour
8.30 am to 12.30 pm & 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm - Banks, Post Offices and Tourist Offices
9.30 am to 1.00 pm & 2 pm to 7.00 pm - Shops

Important Contacts

Associations / Ministries
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Government of Turkey
Website: http://www.sanayi.gov.tr

Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade
Government of Turkey
Dis ticaret mustesarligi inonu cad
No.: 36 06510 Emek
Ankara
Tel.: +(90)-(312)-2047500
E-mail: www@foreigntrade.gov.tr
Website: http://www.foreigntrade.gov.tr

DEIK - Foreign Economic Relations Board
DIs, Ekonomik I.lis,kiler Kurulu
TOBB Plaza Talatpas,a cad. No:3 Kat:5
34394 Gültepe Levent I.stanbul
Turkey
Tel.: +(90)-(212)-3395000, 270 41 90
Fax: +(90)-(212)-2703092
E-mail: info@deik.org.tr
Website: http://www.deik.org.tr

IGEME - Export Promotion Center of Turkey
Mithatpasa Cad. No:60 06420
Ankara, Turkey
Tel.: +(90)-(312)-4172223
Fax: +(90)-(312)-4172233
E-mail: igeme@igeme.org.tr
Website: http://www.igeme.org.tr

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce
Ragip Gümüspala Cad. 84
Eminönü
ISTANBUL 34378
Turkey
Tel.: +(90)-(212)-5114150
Fax: +(90)-(212)-5201656, 5131565
E-mail: bilgi@tr-ito.com
Website: http://www.ito.org.tr

Istanbul Sanayi Odasi
(Istanbul Chamber of Industry)
Mesrutiyet Cad. 118
Istanbul 80050
Turkey
Tel.: +(90)-(212)-2522900
Fax: +(90)-(212)-2495884, 2935565
E-mail: musteri@iso.org.tr
Website: http://www.iso.org.tr

Izmir Chamber of Commerce
Ataturk Cad. No: 126
35210 Pasaport- Izmir
Turkey
Tel: +(90)-(232)-4417777
Fax: +(90)(232)-4462251
E-mail: info@izto.org.tr
Website: http://www.izto.org.tr

Indian Embassy / Counsulate

Embassy of India
Cinnah Caddesi No:77/A Çankaya
06680 Ankara
Tel.: +(90)-(312)-4382195
Fax: +(90)-(312)-4403429

Visiting this Country

Business Visa Rules for Turkey
An individual may enter Turkey as a Business Visitor for a limited and defined duration, if the purpose of the visit is to conduct allowable Business Visitor activities. In addition, the individual must meet the requirements for a Business Visitor, and must obtain a Business Visitor Visa unless any related treaty or special agreement authorizes otherwise.

Requirements
The following requirements for Business Visitors are subject to change or modification:

• The applicant must have a residence and an employer outside of Turkey and must be traveling to Turkey for a limited and pre-set period.
  
• The applicant must not receive any compensation from sources within Turkey; however, incidental expenses such as accommodation, cost of travel, and meals may be paid by the host.
  
• The applicant must have evidence of adequate funds to defray expenses while on the business visit.
  
• The applicant must have a specific, realistic plans for his/her stay in Turkey.
  
• The applicant must not sign contracts or conclude any agreement in Turkey.
  
• The period of intended stay of the applicant must be consistent with the intended purpose of the trip.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date	Local Name	Detail
New Year's Day	January 1	Yilbasi
National Sovereignty and Children's Day	April 23	Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayrami	Commemoration of the first opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey at Ankara in 1920. Dedicated to the children.
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day	May 19	Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayrami	Commemoration of the beginning of national liberation movement initiated in 1919 by Atatürk's landing in Samsun. Dedicated to the youth.
Victory Day	August 30	Zafer Bayrami	Commemoration of the victory at the final battle in Dumlupinar ending the Turkish Independence War in 1922. Dedicated to the armed forces.
Republic Day	October 29	Cumhuriyet Bayrami	Commemoration of the proclaimation of the republic in 1923. Also the halfday in the afternoon of previous day.
Ramadan Feast		Ramazan Bayrami or Seker Bayrami	After the end of Islamic month Ramadan
Sacrifice Feast		Kurban Bayrami	70 days after the end of Islamic month Ramadan

Travel Tips

• A service charge is included in hotel and restaurant bills.
  
• There is no departure tax. · Items which are duty free are 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars or 200g of tobacco and 200 cigarette papers or 50g of chewing tobacco or 200g of pipe tobacco or 200g of snuff tobacco; five bottles (1l) or seven bottles (700ml) of wine and/or spirits; reasonable amounts of coffee and tea; five bottles (up to 120ml each) of perfume; gifts up to a value of Euro 255.65 (or equivalent); electronic articles up to a value of Euro 255.65 (or equivalent).
  
• For domestic flights, passport is not required.
  
• Leave your shoes open at the entrance while visiting mosques. Women in most of the mosques are required to cover their heads with a scarf.
  
• Antiques are not allowed to carry out of the country.
  
• Taking photographs of Turkish ladies without their permission is an offence.
  
• In summer time do not forget to take sun hat and sun blocks. In winter pack warm cloths as the temperature somtimes may drop to as low as -15° C. Do carry uumbrellas and raincoats.
  
• Although water is safe of tap but it is recommended to have bottled water for drinking.
• Electricity is 220 V.