As part of a drive to encourage more Midland firms to export the regional arm of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is holding a culture and language masterclass for businesses wanting to export to Turkey.

The Turkish practical and interactive masterclass event on Wednesday November 25 is designed to introduce businesses to cultural attitudes, business style and key phrases.

Being held at the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, in Quinton Road, Coventry, it will cover etiquette and dress code, business ethics and protocol, plus basic language such as greetings, addressing people and numbers.

Turkey is a large and rapidly developing country and offers significant opportunities for UK companies across a broad range of sectors.

Despite recent political uncertainties and slower growth it remains one of the world’s largest economies and GDP growth is expected to pick up gradually over 2016 and 2017.

It is also forecast to be in the world’s top ten economies by 2023.

As well as its economic record Turkey boasts a young workforce and its geographical location as the bridge between Asia and Europe means it is it an attractive hub for UK companies who want to gain access to regional markets in Central Asia and the south Caucasus.

Turkish Airlines, the country’s national airline, has a strong and growing presence at Birmingham Airport and offers good connections to destinations further afield.

Currently more than 2,500 UK companies are operating in Turkey, including global companies such as BP, Shell, Vodafone, Unilever, BAE, HSBC, Aviva and Diageo.

Several retail giants and high street names such as Tesco, Harvey Nichols, Marks and Spencer and Laura Ashley also have extensive operations there.

Gerti Willis, language and culture adviser at UK Trade & Investment West Midlands, said: “Language barriers are the most obvious obstacles but embracing cultural challenges can be the key to a successful business relationship.

“Our business culture masterclasses give an in-depth overview of the history, morals and ethics. It is often the invisible cultural differences that form perceived barriers.

“If we want to be successful, we need to be aware of the differences to be able to deal with it.”

For more information on UKTI’s Turkish culture and language masterclass call 0121 607 1942 or email Gerti.willis@mobile.ukti.gov.uk.