A role to cherish for Turkey's man in Dubai

Hakan Bahceci , who a year ago he took the reins of the Turkish Business Council for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, talks about what makes the UAE-Turkey relationship tick.

Hakan Bahceci has been in Dubai for 17 years since he came to open a local office for his family's business, Hakan Agro. A year ago he took over the reins of the Turkish Business Council for Dubai and the Northern Emirates. He talks about what makes the UAE-Turkey relationship tick.

The council has 200 members, including professionals and companies. What support does the council give to its members to improve trade in the UAE?

We provide networking [opportunities]. After I joined, we formed 15 subcommittees on a sectoral basis such as food, health, education, construction, oil and gas, retail and tourism to increase our business council visibility.

In what industries is trade flourishing between Turkey and the UAE?

Mostly in Turkish real estate and financial markets. Turkish businesses have been taken over by private equity investors from the UAE, such as Emaar. The retail side is growing as is franchise interest. There are over 850 active Turkish companies in the UAE. That is a 70 per cent increase in the number of Turkish businesses established in the last two years.

In what sectors are Turkish businesses involved here?

Contracting is a big sector. Mega companies such as Nurol and Yuksel are taking part in consortiums. Over US$6 billion (Dh22.03bn) worth of construction projects have been awarded to Turkish businesses in the UAE over the last couple of years. Other sectors include logistics, banking, food and retail.

Your own company is into import and export of food grains and has generated over $1bn in turnover last year. How important is the food sector for Turkish businesses?

As per the UAE vision for food security for the next 25 to 30 years, Turkey offers excellent partnership. We have lands available for agricultural development in Turkey and development of the food industry that can embrace private equity. We can grow our own foods, process and export them.

Is Dubai used mostly as a re-export hub?

The UAE for us provides infrastructure. There is finance available and a number of tax-free zones that allows us to do business on a global basis. Moreover, Turkey shares a common culture with the Gulf. Movies and TV serials have become a phenomenon here. A decade ago the [cultural link] was not explained properly. Our government is now turning back to its roots, and over the last 10 years we have opened these opportunities for Turks to realise what Arabs are and for Arabs to realise what Turks are.

Reuters reported last month that Turkish gold trade to Iran is booming via Dubai. Do you see an increase in Dubai-based Turkish traders doing business with Iran?

I have no idea but as our government has explained, Turkey complies fully with UN sanctions. We share historic relations with Iran, and it is the country with which we share the longest border and we never had any problem. We also have good relations with Nato and allies.