Turkish NGO focuses on upgrading Türkiye-UK Free Trade Agreement

The Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), a leading Turkish non-governmental organization, is taking an active role in upgrading the Türkiye-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the group's UK branch said in a statement.

During Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat's visit to the UK, MUSIAD UK officials met him and submitted a formal letter outlining their commitment to the initiative.

The first round of negotiations to revise the Türkiye-UK (FTA) is set for July.

- MUSIAD's ‘multidimensional campaign'

Turkan Akbas, chairwoman of MUSIAD UK, said the group launched a “multidimensional campaign” to engage the public, policymakers and business leaders to help diversify trade relations between Türkiye and the UK.

“The campaign is based on a comprehensive action plan, including lobbying efforts, institutionalizing business support, raising awareness via digital and traditional media, building strategic partnerships, conducting data-driven analyses, and organizing a trade day between Türkiye and the UK,” Akbas said.

“MUSIAD UK is a strategic actor, building economic bridges between the two countries with a membership structure of entrepreneurs working in the UK,” she added.

Akbas emphasized that the group is working in alignment with Türkiye's development goals and the UK's trade interests.

She stressed that the upgraded FTA would mark a new economic chapter in Türkiye-UK relations.

“The upgrading process of the FTA is not just an intergovernmental issue,” she said.

“The process has become increasingly more inclusive with the active participation of civil society, and we are proud to be a part of this—we will work towards making the economic ties between the two countries stronger, more sustainable, and multidimensional,” she added.