EXPORT PROMOTION INITIATIVE

Flying the Flag in Turkey

FMCEC represented British construction equipment manufacturers with an Information Stand at the Ankomak Construction Exhibition (Istanbul 25-30 May 1999). The stand, shared with the DTI's Trade UK initiative, had a strong British image and was well received. The organisation of the show was excellent and, as usual, the British media grossly exaggerated the potential dangers from the Kurdish terrorists that had put off several British Exhibitors.

Britain was the only national group represented at Ankomak - the German and Italian pavilions had been withdrawn because of the perceived security risks. Although only one British company - Techno Drill - exhibited directly many companies were represented through their Turkish distributors. Jonathan Duck of Techno Drill Ltd reported that Ankomak provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen their relationship with their distributor to meet new customers and assess trading possibilities with Turkey.

Whilst Ankomak was not as well attended as big exhibitions such as Bauma the British stand, manned by the FMCEC's Rob and Joanna Oliver, had a steady flow of visitors. Over 150 business cards were collected from visitors interested in becoming distributors or purchasing equipment. Enquiries were taken for all types of equipment from the largest plant to spare parts. Although Ankomak was billed as an international exhibition all but a handful of visitors (Bulgaria, Syria and Australia) were from Turkey. It was disappointing that no visitors were recorded from the CIS.
It was apparent that the Turks regard British equipment as being of high quality and reliable. The main complaint was that British companies were very slow responding to trade enquiries compared with other nations. As Turkish business is built on personal relationships is was disappointing for visitors not to be able to meet more British exhibitors.

On the down side business appears to be quite sluggish in Turkey for a number of reasons. First, the coalition government is being formed and a no budget has yet been set - so investment decisions are in limbo at present. Second, under Turkish law ("article 7") the import of second hand earthmoving equipment is prohibited. New equipment is now difficult to get through the free port area when there are alternative local equipment sources - several FMCEC members are particularly badly affected by this legislation. FMCEC have undertaken to follow up these problems with CECE and the DTI.

This article was written before the disastrous earthquake in Turkey, it would seem likely that the Turkish authorities will change importing regulations at least in the short term.

For a fuller copy of the Ankomak report contact Joanna Oliver at FMCEC.

EUROMAC '99

Unfortunately the EUROMAC '99 exhibition has been postponed. The exhibition that was part of the EPI 2000 project was to be held in Amsterdam at the end of September/early October. It was specifically for component manufacturers and although the numbers attending would probably have been small in comparison with major exhibitions like Conexpo and BAUMA the visitors would have been specifically focussed on the equipment on display.

Turret RAI, the organisers of the exhibition, were unable to get sufficient exhibitors to make the exhibition viable. The FMCEC contingent was initially ten strong but at the final count there were only three companies prepared to go to EUROMAC '99.

Undaunted by this setback Turret RAI intends to combine EUROMAC with another exhibition in the year 2000.