A New Generation Trade Bridge is Being Built Between the UK and Türkiye
The British Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye (BCCT) hosted representatives from the UK SME Centre of Excellence (CofE) in Istanbul for a key strategic meeting. The meeting was led by BCCT President Christopher Gaunt OBE, with participation from CofE and ISS Group Founder Ammar Mirza CBE, and ISS Teesside Freeports CEO Atıf Malik. Meeting with BCCT members, the delegation discussed ways to deepen the UK-Turkey commercial collaboration focused on innovation and logistics.
Collaboration Deepens with Strategic Istanbul MeetingChris Gaunt OBE, commenting on the visit, stated that Turkey remains one of the UK's most important and vibrant trading partners outside the EU. He said, "Platforms like Teesside Freeport offer practical, future-focused, and seamless transition routes. As BCCT, we are proud to collaborate with visionary partners who bring global thinking to regional outcomes."
Ammar Mirza CBE commented on the meeting: “Teesside Freeport, led by Atif Malik, represents a next-generation freeport model that combines infrastructure with strategic intelligence. Our goal is to create a high-trust, innovation- and investment-friendly trading environment for businesses in Turkey and the UK. Through ISS Freeports and our 3IP model, we offer practical, strategic support that delivers real results.”
Teesside Freeport's infrastructure makes it one of the UK's most developed and connected business districts. With over 1 million square feet of aviation (air cargo) and innovation space, a dedicated customs area, and a robust logistics infrastructure, the freeport provides an ideal hub for direct trade corridors extending to Turkey, the Middle East, and beyond.
With expedited cargo processing, bonded warehousing and a full licensing infrastructure for high-value goods, Teesside Freeport also offers solutions for pharmaceuticals, perishables and high-tech cargo.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the meeting also discussed the 3IP model developed by ISS. This model includes:
Topics such as Innovation: Special innovation zones and university-industry collaborations, Investment: Reaching global investors, access to state and private funds, Internationalization: Strategic market access and cultural bridge supports were discussed.
In this context, it was emphasized that Teesside Freeport will not only be a logistics center but also a safe jumping-off point for international growth for Turkish exporters and investors.
As part of its Istanbul program, the delegation also held meetings with executives from Turkish Airlines Cargo and Istanbul Airport (İGA). These meetings focused on opportunities for integrating Teesside Freeport's modern cargo infrastructure with Türkiye's global aviation logistics capabilities.
BCCT and CofE Collaboration StrengthensThe meeting reaffirmed the Memorandum of Understanding previously signed between BCCT and the SME Centre of Excellence. The agreement includes joint commitments in areas such as SME empowerment, trade facilitation, and the development of joint programs.
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