March April 2020 / 08
English Version
tbmag.co.uk
#StayAtHome
TurkishBritish
Scan the QR code for Turkish version
A magazine for Turkish and British Business People
NEWS
BUSINESS
CITY & LIFE
CULTURE & ART
Turkish economy to keep growing post-COVID-19
UK airline Flybe went bankrupt
A colorful road from Harran to London
A new FTA is needed between UK and Turkey
Turkey’s technological brands announced
The top things to do in Notting Hill
A special fi lm selection by Istanbul Biennial Nazım Hikmet in the 50 greatest love poems list
• In Open Banking, the Customer is gaining strength! • The UK set out the new immigration system, where global talent and sponsorship are key • Coronavirus: Scientists brand 5G claims ‘complete rubbish’ • We need to understand obese people first to treat obesity!
Coronavirus threatens the global economy! ISSN 2633-8289
9
772633
828009
#TurkishBritishMag
• Investment Time in North Cyprus • Göbeklitepe:
Zero Point in Time
• Timeless beauty in the Avon Valley; “BATH”
Reach the most suitable investment fund/funds out of more than 400 funds present in our portfolio over our independent and reliable investment service.
Medium Term and Short Term Bonds Fund Long Term Bonds Fund
Private Sector Bonds Fund
Executive investment service which gives you the opportunity to reach all investment products of leading banks and portfolio management companies in Turkey.
Technology Sector Equity Fund Eurobonds (USD) Debt Instrument Fund
Gold Fund
Money Market Fund
+90 (549) 840 22 45 Write “Open Investment� and send us a message and we will call you right away.
www.tbmag.co.uk
3
CONTENTS
20 03 I FROM THE EDITOR • Turkish British’ten
08 I ACTUAL • Coronavirus Imprisoned the People in the World at Home! • £350 billion pound loan to enterprises against coronavirus • A new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) should be signed between the UK and Turkey
10 I IN BRIEF • UK death toll from COVID-19 outbreak surges to 5,373 • UK airline Flybe went bankrupt • Sümeyye Boyacı, whom Barbie chose as a role model: I have a Dream • ‘World economy to contract in 2020 due to coronavirus’ • Turkey’s automotive exports drop in Q1 due to COVID-19 • In Open Banking, the Customer is gaining strength! • Turkey’s technological brands announced
22 I IN FOCUS • Coronavirus threatens the global economy!
4
48 • Coronavirus: Workplace Impacts – Short and Long Term • Fitch; “Turkish economy to keep growing postCOVID-19” • Time for Governments, Brands and Employers to Protect Supply Chain and Precarious Workers from Hardship and Infection • Coronavirus: Scientists brand 5G claims ‘complete rubbish’
BUSINESS
32 I DIGITAL ECONOMY • How Corona Virus Affected Online Sales? • gClouds Joins Google Cloud Partner Program to Empower
34 I CAREER SCHOOL • What I Learned Interviewing London’s Startup Founders
36 I ACTUAL NEWS • The UK set out the new immigration system, where global talent and sponsorship are key
40 I COUNTRY • Investment Time in North Cyprus
44 I BUSINESS NEWS • British Kebab Awards 2020 Winners Revealed
Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
• Refresh Yourself launches “Refresh Corporate” • The UK e-commerce market will be discussed at the World E-Commerce Forum
48 I HEALTH • To treat obesity, first you need to understand obes!
50 I BUSINESS WOMEN NETWORK • A smooth transition to living abroad • Our relationship with food shapes our life
CITY AND LIFE
56 I AFTERNOON TEA • A colorful road from Harran to London
56 I JOURNEY TO HISTORY • Göbeklitepe: Zero Point in Time
60 I ATTRACTIVE ROUTES • Timeless beauty in the Avon Valley; “BATH”
62 I LONDON • The top things to do in Notting Hill • The journey of coffee, From Istanbul to Oxford: The Origins of Coffee Drinking in England exhibition
64 I CULTURE & ART • Nazım Hikmet in Southbank Center’s selection of 50 greatest love poems list • A Special Online Film Selection By The Istanbul Biennial • How do we tackle the misconceptions of spirituality?
/ FROM THE EDITOR #StayAtHome
Hello, Coronavirus that first appeared in the Chinese New Year on January 25 has come to the world’s fore as the only topic, almost two months ago. Nowadays when we prepare the March-April issue of our magazine, almost all countries have closed their borders and put themselves under quarantine, against coronavirus, which turned almost the entire world into a huge quarantine camp. This ‘pandemic’, which once again closes its own borders and even inside their homes, - ‘Global village’ – see McLuhan- continues to influence the world deeply as the biggest threat of the ‘global economy’ has ever seen, as well as human health. In this issue, now we are offering a file gathering together the economic effects of the coronavirus, which has now turned into a pandemic. In our file, we included headlines of this unprecedented period that the ups and downs in the stock exchanges and the unbelievable decline in oil prices, of slowing down all the gears of the economy wheel, up to the factories that have stopped production and most importantly, the workforce that cannot continue their work because spare parts are being supplied from the airlines that come to a standstill with the closing of the borders has been disrupted, because of the chain effect of the cessation of production in China that the largest supplier of the global economy. In the UK, since the first days of 2020, while concentrating on its roadmap after Brexit, it has focused on the pandemic like all other countries for several weeks. However, before that, the government announced the New Immigration System, which is one of the most important issues to be resolved after Brexit. IR35 legislation, which is a very serious issue for those who work for their own business, has been delayed until April 2021 throughout this epidemic instead of coming into force on April 6. You can find the details of these two issues related to working life and visas on our pages. Various events that we sponsor as Turkish British magazine were postponed like many other things in life. We hope that, as the spring starts, people would return to their daily life and continue to deal with all the world affairs thanks to the momentum and motivation that would close the distance created by today’s uncertainty environment. Stay healthy and take care of yourself…
Troy Exhibition, British Museum @aylatorun
Ayla Torun Chief Editor
Postponed events under our media sponsorships • 6. World E-Commerce Forum 3 June 2020 İstanbul Shangri-la Hotel
• Trust İstanbul 2020 İnternational Conferans 24-25 June 2020 İstanbul Zorlu PSM
• 8th Invest in Turkey Forum 2020 17-18 September 2020 London Park Plaza Lambeth Hotel www.tbmag.co.uk www.tbmag.co.uk
5
“Turkish British”, the business and life magazine for the Turkish-speaking community in the UK We contribute to the visibility of Turkish entrepreneurs and business people in the UK and strengthen the economic bridge between the two countries.
UK Subscribe £60 Turkey Subscribe
•
Launched in May 2019, the magazine targets both the Turkishspeaking community and the other communities in which it is integrated.
•
It is published in two languages, namely Turkish and English.
•
The digital platform of the magazine which has reached in excess of 50 thousand unique visitors in a short period of time and which has received more than 200 thousand page views, continues to increase its number of readers every day.
•
From 2020, we are launching the subscription system so that you can receive the magazine at home or at the offi ce free of charge every month. To subscribe, please fi ll out the form below or send it to us.
120₺
March April 2020 / 08
English Version
tbmag.co.uk
#StayAtHome
TurkishBritish
Scan the QR code for Turkish version
A magazine for Turkish and British Business People
NEWS
BUSINESS
CITY & LIFE
CULTURE & ART
Turkish economy to keep growing post-COVID-19
UK airline Flybe went bankrupt
A colorful road from Harran to London
A new FTA is needed between UK and Turkey
Turkey’s technological brands announced
The top things to do in Notting Hill
A special film selection by Istanbul Biennial Nazım Hikmet in the 50 greatest love poems list
You can subscribe to our website. www.tbmag.co.uk I @: hello@tbmag.co.uk
Publisher Doruk Ltd./ AFS Communication
Editor-in-Chief Ayla Torun Ph.D
• In Open Banking, the Customer is gaining strength! • The UK set out the new immigration system, where global talent and sponsorship are key • Coronavirus: Scientists brand 5G claims ‘complete rubbish’ • We need to understand obese people first to treat obesity!
Coronavirus threatens the global economy! ISSN 2633-8289
9
772633
828009
#TurkishBritishMag
Publication Coordinator Fevzi Kemal Torun
News Coordinator Kevser Devecioğlu
• Investment Time in North Cyprus • Göbeklitepe:
Zero Point in Time
• Timeless beauty in the Avon Valley; “BATH”
2020/01 Issue: 07/EN ISSN 2633-8289
Turkish British Magazine Haydons Road, 240C SW19 8TT, London, UK +44 74 7117 9662 +44 74 9322 9001 +90 850 355 50 44 tbmag.co.uk tbmag.co.uk
Editors Ebru Atlan Tecirlioğlu Leyla Sali Janine Rahşan Gül editor@tbmag.co.uk
Advertising Coordinator Sıla Türkpençesi
Advertising Özge Gözke Taylan Durmuş Nil Aksoy advertising@tbmag.co.uk /turkishbritishmag/
6 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Design and Implementation
Contributors Barış Çimen Cazibe Sanmalı Dr. Erkan Aktaş E. Nida Dincturk Eyüp Togan Hayrettin Turan Murat Buyurgan Ozan Dağdeviren Selcen Çiftlikçi Zehra Aydın
Legal Advisors Hakan Lamper Ecem Gündüz Umut Gündüz
Translations Irmak Cankul Taylan Durmus Leyla Sali Janine
/turkishbritishmag/
AFS Communication contact@afscomms.com afscomms.com
Contact +44 74 7117 9662 +44 74 9322 9001 +90 850 355 50 44 contact@tbmag.co.uk tbmag.co.uk © Turkish British Magazine, is published monthly by Doruk Ltd., Haydons Road, 240C SW19 8TT London, UK. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the Publisher. No responsibility is accepted for claims made in any advertisements appearing in the publication and the publisher reserves the right to refuse advertisements at their discretion. While the editors do their utmost to verify information published, they do not accept responsibility for its absolute accuracy.
/turkishbritishmag/
/turkishbritishmag/
The world’s largest public Turkish company according to Forbes* Forbes’a göre dünyann en büyük is at your service in the UK.
halka açk Türk şirketi* Whenİngiltere’de it comes to findingde theyannzda. right banking partner for your business, you don’t have to look far.
Doğru iş ortağn çok uzaklarda aramanza gerek yok. London Branch 8 Princes Street, London, EC2R 8HL, UNITED KINGDOM 0 207 397 1400 info@isbank.co.uk Londra Şubesi 8 Princes Street, London, EC2R 8HL, UNITED KINGDOM 0 207 397 1400 info@isbank.co.uk
*The Forbes magazine’s 2019 ranking of the “Global 2000 World's Largest Public Companies”.
North London Branch 98 Great North Road, First Floor, London, N2 ONL, UNITED KINGDOM 0 207 397 1440 info@isbank.co.uk Kuzey Londra Şubesi 98 Great North Road, First Floor, London, N2 ONL, UNITED KINGDOM 0 207 397 1440 info@isbank.co.uk
ACTUAL day by day. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced that the death rate due to coronavirus was 3.4 %. The spread of the disease has stunned the states. First, international events, fairs, concerts were cancelled — Then, schools, house of worship, cinemas, theatres, shopping malls, gyms, art galleries, restaurants, cafes, briefly everywhere where people come together… Governments almost take precautions to close the borders providing entry and exit to their countries, completely. While the countries are closing their borders, citizens are at home. Because the only way to slow the rate of spread of the coronavirus, which has not yet been treated and vaccinated, is to reduce physical contact between people.
Coronavirus Imprisoned the People in the World at Home!
The coronavirus (Covid-19), which first appeared in China, continues to spread at a speed that amazes the world. How long the virus -which has been seen in 209 countries up to now and has reached 1,5 million people diagnosed- continue to spread and when to control remain are uncertain..
T
he world faces a situation that it has never experienced before — the coronavirus (Covid-19), which the World Health Organization calls a pandemic, continues to spread rapidly. While the number of people diagnosed with new types of coronavirus in the world has reached almost 1,5 million, the number of those recovering from the virus has exceeded 309 thousand. The number of people dying from coronavirus, which spread to more than 200 countries in a short period of 3 months, continues to increase Total Global Cases 1,529,482 Total Global Deaths 89,417 Total Recovered 337,164
8
Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
The greatest deaths occurred in China The highest death rate is occurred in China because of coronavirus, which is believed to have been caused by a seafood and meat products market named “Huanan” in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China firstly in December. The number of infected people in China, where 3,333 people died due to the virus, has reached 81,802, it was announced that 77,279 of these people had been treated. However, with the radical measures it took, the Chinese government managed to control the situation in about 3 months. While the number of cases across the country has been decreasing gradually, the quarantine in Hubei province has been terminated. While the whole world is struggling with coronavirus -which is claimed to have spread from China- citizens has started to spend time in restaurants in China, where only police and ambulances were on the streets until a month ago. Further, it was decided to restart the Chinese Super League on April 18.
The most serious health threat after World War 2 After China, the country where the coronavirus spread the fastest, was Italy somehow that worries the whole world. In Italy, where the virus was first detected on February 21, the number of those, who died from the new type of Covid-19, increased reached to 17,127. In the country, the number of Covid-19 cases has exceeded 135,000 of the total number of people, including those who died and recovered. That In Italy, where the virus is spreading rapidly all over the country because the measures were taken late, the country’s health system is troubling with serving rapidly increasing numbers. In Spain, another EU country
/ FROM THE UK
where the virus spread rapidly, the number of cases exceeded Italy with 141.942 and 14.045 people died. 109,069 cases were recorded in France and 10,328 people lost life due to Covid-19.While the number of coronavirus cases increased to 107,663 in Germany, the number of people who died due to virus reached 2,016. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany said: ‘We are facing a serious situa-
tion that has not been seen since World War II.’ The casualties in Belgium and the Netherlands exceeded 2000 people each. With the detection of the first Covid-19 case in Montenegro, the virus has spread throughout Europe. Tedo Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO President, announced that ‘The European coronavirus pandemic is now the epicenter of pandemic, with the slower spreading of the virus in China.’ Tedros said that the number of cases and deaths in Europe had surpassed China; however, he said that it had been unpredictable when the virus would reach its peak.
Britain had to change its strategy While taking measures to reduce contact between people, the UK government has put forward a different strategy to slow the spread of the virus throughout the world and in Europe. In the UK, the government offered individual isolation to the public rather than taking radical measures when the new type of coronavirus first appeared and explained that with the ‘herd immunity’ policy, the majority of the population was aimed at developing immunity against infection. At a press conference on March 12, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said about keeping children at home: ‘can do more harm than good’. However, considering the spread of the virus and the increase of deaths in other EU countries, the policy pursued by the government started to be criticized and over 500 scientists in the UK have issued a statement opposing the government’s ‘herd immunity’
policy regarding coronavirus. More precautions taken and schools were decided to be closed on Friday, March 20 in Britain. Where the number of people who died due to the virus increased to 6,159, and the number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 is 55,242. The UK government asked the public not to go to crowded places unless needed, to start working from home if possible, to stay at home for those in the risk group, over 70, and pregnant women. In the context of the fight against the new type of coronavirus in London -the capital of UK- it was decided to partially close the subway lines.
The effect of the virus is in all provinces in Iran. In Iran, which is one of the countries most affected by the epidemic, the number of people, who died due to Covid-19, increased to 3,872 and the number of infected people to 62,589. The virus is detected in Kum city of Iran on February 19 quickly spread to all provinces. Iranian leader Khamenei issued a fatwa that travels except for mandatory situations were not permissible. ‘Corona Support Package’ was prepared in order to support low-income citizens and those affected economically by the epidemic.
www.tbmag.co.uk
9
ACTUAL The number of cases is increasing in Turkey Turkey was one of the countries where cases of coronavirus occurred quite late. The first case was detected in Turkey on March 11. First, a boss with a Chinese employee was diagnosed with Covid-19. After the first case the number of cases continues to increase fastly. The total number of cases reached 34,109 and 725 people died. Shortly after the detection of cases in Turkey, including all schools and universities were closed and distance education started. After all international events were cancelled; restrictions were imposed on all social areas where people within the country would gather together.
Trump activates war period law The coronavirus caused radical decisions to be pronounced in alarming figures in superpower US. The USA became the country with the highest number of cases in late March. According to the latest figures announced by Johns Hopkins University, the number of deaths caused by the coronavirus throughout the USA increased to 12,841 and the number of cases to 400,335. Country
Total Cases
New Cases
Total Deaths
World
1,529,482
+11,522
89,417
USA
435,160
+233
14,797
Spain
152,446
+4,226
15,238
Italy
139,422
17,669
Germany
113,296
2,349
France
112,950
10,869
China
81,865
Iran
64,586
3,993
UK
60,733
7,097
Turkey
38,226
812
Belgium
24,983
+1,580
2,523
Switzerland
23,514
+234
913
Netherlands
20,549
2,248
Canada
19,438
435
Brazil
16,238
Portugal
13,141
Austria
13,028
+63
+50
3,335
823 380
+86
10 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
295
With the widespread distribution of test kits across the country since Monday, March 16, in the last two days, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases. In the 100-page study of the US Government titled ‘The US Government Covid-19 Response Plan’ on 13 March 2020, there was a warning that it would be in ‘more than one wave’, which Covid-19 outbreak will last 18 months or more and resulting in famines that put the country’s health system in trouble. US President Donald Trump explained that they would activate the Defence Production Act, which gave him more voice over the production sector to combat with the new type of coronavirus. The Defence Production Law, which was first activated during the Korean War, will provide the US President to instruct the industry to produce materials such as protective masks and respirators. ‘No one has seen such a big swamp,’ said Trump, the US President for the coronavirus. Nothing was so infectious. He said: ‘The level of transmission of the virus is incredible.’
Coronavirus influenced deeply the whole world Coronavirus continues to spread all over the World. The number of infected people in Austria increased to 12,000. It was decided to put transparent plastic cabinets between cashier employees and customers at national markets in the country. It has been forbidden to go out on the street without a mask in Czech Republic. 10.00-12.00 hours have been reserved for this age group to prevent people over the age of 65 from shopping with other customers at the same time. In Serbia, declared state of emergency, it has been forbidden to go out to the streets between 20.00-05.00. State of emergency has been declared in North Macedonia over Covid-19 epidemic. In Poland, government announced biggest aid package in country-history. In Denmark, more than 10 people have been banned from activities, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, bars, hairdressers are closed, it was reported that those who do not comply with the prohibitions would be fined 1500 kroner (1400 liras) to 5 thousand kroner (4 thousand 750 liras). Kyrgyzstan banned foreigners from entering the country. Due to the epidemic, in Russia, education has been suspended for 3 weeks in all schools starting from March 23. Indonesia, where the loss of lives due to the virus rose to 19, temporarily closed its border with Malaysia and reciprocal flights have been suspended until March 31.
/ FROM THE UK
£350 billion pound loan to enterprises against coronavirus
An economic support package was announced due to the crisis caused by the UK government coronavirus. Finance Minister announced more economic support than budget figures due to coronavirus.
I
n the UK, the government announced an economic aid package against the coronavirus. Rishi Altar, UK Finance Minister said that they would offer £ 330 billion pound of state-funded loans and grants under the measures taken, and said: ‘We will support employment, income and companies. We will do whatever it takes.’ Rishi Sunak, Finance Minister, stating that coronavirus was not only a public health crisis but also an economic extraordinary situation, said they would support all companies on a small to large scale. The aid package announced by Minister Rishi Sunak with his speech in parliament on March 17, aims to help enterprises, as well as people, to survive on the coronavirus pandemic. The state’s economic measures include areas such as job security, mortgage, insurance premium and tax payments, and lease of small enterprises. Government measures to help enterprises and hosts affected by the coronavirus crisis include: • Enterprises were given a £ 330 billion pound loan guarantee and more will be provided if needed. • Interest-free business cut loans will be increased from £ 1.2 million pound that announced in the budget, to £ 5 million pound. It will not be paid any interest in the first six months. • Income tax will be stopped for 12 months for all shops, bars, theatres, music venues, restaurants and other accommodation or entertainment enterprises. • For enterprises with less than £ 51,000 pound income, up to £ 25,000 pound in cash will be provided. • 10,000 pound cash grant will be provided for 700,000 small enterprises. • The mortgage payments of the landlords who have difficulty in repayment will be delayed for three months. • Local governments will pay the cost of these measures, and at least £ 3.5 billion pound will
be transferred to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. • A potential support package for airlines and airports will be provided across world travel bans. • Numbers in the budget were increased During the budget talks held in early March, Rishi Sunak, Finance Minister, announced £ 30 billion pound support to deal with the coronavirus crisis. While aiming to eliminate effects of the pandemic with £ 12 billion pound of this, £ 18 billion pound was reserved to support the economy. This budget included investing in public services, increasing support for vulnerable people and giving enterprises tax discounts and loans. He announced that they would make a donation £ 3,000 in cash for each 700,000 smallest enterprises in the country. This figure was increased to £ 10,000 pound.
Enterprise loan The coronavirus is also economically being affected or expected to be affected because of the reasons such as enterprises such as bars, hotels, theatres, airlines, restaurants and other travel and accommodation companies, disruptions arising especially from the illness of the employees, who provide services, mandatory closures and closure of international borders, as the pandemic progresses. Minister Sunak said in a statement that credit opportunities had been provided for interruptions or slowdowns in these enterprises. Sunak stated that businesses could get this loan from the banks they work with.
Delay for mortgage payments The mortgage payments of the homeowners, who have difficulty in repayment due to the effects of the coronavirus, will be delayed for three months. Sunak said that measures to help tenants would be announced in the coming days and urgently working on an employment package. www.tbmag.co.uk 11
NEWS UK, 55 countries signed the FTA, Turkey is pending Britain, the fifth largest economy in the world, realizes 2.5 % of world exports and 3.4 % of the world imports. British Government will start negotiations on trade agreement with EU during 1 year transition period after 31 January. Negotiations will be expected to be completed by the end of 2020. Britain will continue to be in the Customs Union next year. However, it will also be able to make its own free trade agreements (FTA).
A new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) should be signed between the UK and Turkey Britain officially has left EU membership since January 31. Now the eyes are on the 11-month transition period - Turkey business world in this process in which many business regulations will be made, expects a new free trade agreement (FTA) to be signed quickly with the UK from the Customs Union.
B
ritain’s departure from European Union (EU) membership on January 31, 2020 was the beginning of a process that the whole world will follow their curiosity. Almost all countries follow up how this process will go, especially the countries that trade with Britain, what to change in what way and what strategy to follow in separation. One of the countries, the most affected by this separation from the British in 2019 is certainly Turkey that will be about 17 billion dollars of trade.
12 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
After that Britain after leaving the Customs Union, new tariffs that come into the force, will negatively affect Turkey’s exports. Therefore, Turkey is trying to sign FTA with England, as soon as possible. Until now, the British Government that has signed 18 separate FTAs with 55 countries to prevent trade damage after Brexit has not yet made a deal with Turkey.
New agreement will determine the future of its trade About England-Turkey relations in the period after Brexit, it is expected literally a new era. The trade volume of approximately $ 17 billion between the two countries is likely to further develop in the coming period, however, in the post-Brexit period, a comprehensive trade agreement needs to be signed to improve this profitable trade relationship and minimize possible losses. Because with the end of EU membership, because the UK will leave the common market, new tariffs will come into force between the two countries, and this situation will bring serious commercial loss. Turkey business world, after Brexit, expects that it would be signed a free trade agreement (FTA) quickly to meet with new tariffs. For London, the need for new markets due to being outside the European common market and for Ankara, the desire to develop trade with the UK, which is the second most exported country in Europe after Germany, offers an opportunity to both sides. So what; first, the negotiations between London and Brussels
/ IN BRIEF
must be concluded in order to the two parties to make a free trade agreement, according to the existing Customs Union regulations.
Turkey his country’s 2nd most exports; Britain Britain is the second country in the EU that made Turkey’s biggest export after Germany. While exporting to Britain amounted to 10,9 billion dollars in 2019, 5.4 billion dollars were imported from this country. Automotive, ready-to-wear, electronics and chemical products take the lead in exports to Britain. In imports, mechanical power generator, automotive, metal ore, medicine and organic chemicals are at the top of the list. Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, Chairman of the Economic Development Foundation that is one of the non-governmental organizations, Turkey’s EU membership and the most closely following the Brexit process, said: ‘The transition process can be extended once for a year or two. However, the extension decision must be taken before July 1.’ Zeytinoğlu stating that the work was continuing for the regulation of commercial relations after Brexit, among British authorities and Turkey, ‘The agreement that we will negotiate with the UK and replace the Customs Union relationship, has great importance for Turkey. And he said: ‘We need to improve its scope by both preserving the current relationship and adding new sectors to this agreement.’
Rights granted by the Ankara Agreement are also in danger Despite these expectations commercially, there are some risks that may arise for the citizens of the two countries due to Brexit and some regulations arising from the Ankara Agreement. Turkish citizens were given the right to establish and settle in community countries within this agreement signed between the European Economic Community (EEC) and Turkey in 1963. However; Turkish citizens in this country have problems with their job and settlement rights —because Britain’s partnership in the agreement will come to an end due to Brexit. Despite the fact that it is stated that the regulations arising from the agreement would continue until the end of the transition period in a recent statement by the British Embassy in Ankara, there wasn’t any clarity after Brexit. Zeytinoğlu explaining that Turkey’s citizens used the settlement rights that were given to them by the Ankara Agreement, until now, said that henceforth, the rights given to them by the Ankara Agreement would be suspended. That’s why a new regulation needs to be made urgently between the parties to prevent Turkish citizens
in England from being victimized in the period after Brexit.
‘We must alert in this process’ Zeytinoğlu stating that Turkey should wait for the conclusion of the EU-British agreement due to Customs Union between EU and Turkey said that: ‘We must very alert in this process and carefully determine the negotiating position. It shouldn’t be forgotten that —if any agreement is negotiated on time and doesn’t come into force, we will rank first after the EU among the countries that will be adversely affected by the Brexit process. ‘ In the post-Brexit period, the Johnson government will faces a very challenging process in all areas. It is important that especially satisfy the audience that voted for Brexit and to prove with concrete examples that this process is really a ‘valuable step’ for England to the Brexit opponents.
www.tbmag.co.uk 13
NEWS people after being infected by the virus become immune to the outbreak. Johnson said the country might need to “take it on the chin” in a TV interview in early stages of fight against the virus. Prince Charles and Health Secretary Matt Hancock were tested positive with the virus and were forced to remain in isolation. The treatment of Prince Charles, who was declared to be positive for the coronavirus test, is also ongoing. Tony Lloyd, 70, the Labour MP for Rochdale has been taken to hospital on Monday in Manchester with coronavirus.
Minister Boris Johnson remains in hospital with persisted symptoms Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who announced that the test result was positive and isolated himself on March 27, continued to work from his home.
B
ritain has reported according to figures by the Department of Health and Social Care 266,694 people have been tested so far, of which 55,242 tested positive. UK death toll from COV ID-19 outbreak surges to 6,150. The latest number of deaths came a day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who tested positive 10 days ago, was taken to a central London hospital after some symptoms “persisted”. A Cabinet meeting due on Tuesday has been postponed due to the latest developments, a statement from Downing Street said, adding that Johnson to remain in hospital for a second night as his fever and cough continued. “Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. In its initial response to the pandemic, the British government had adopted “herd immunity” approach but rising numbers of cases and fatalities forced it to introduce stricter measures, including social distancing and school closures. Herd immunity is a concept in which the virus keeps spreading in a society and eventually
14 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
The government transformed London’s biggest convention hall, the ExCel centre in Docklands, into a 4,000-bed intensive care centre, naming it NHS Nightingale. The number of victims to the novel coronavirus is expected to rise in the U.K. as the government’s chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance told the public that it would be “a good outcome” if the country leaves behind the outbreak with 20,000 or less deaths. Since its U-turn from the herd immunity tactics, the government has kept its warnings to public to observe social distancing measures and urges people to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out. “Only leave your home for essentials such as food or medicine, for work, or to exercise. When you do, you MUST keep your distance from others,” the DHSC wrote on Twitter. Describing the social distancing measures rules a “mission critical”, Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Sunday said “the more people follow the rules then the faster we will all be through this.” His remarks came following weekend reports of people in London filling parks with the warmer weather.
NEWS
UK airline Flybe went bankrupt British regional airline Flybe filed for bankruptcy. The company stated that the number of people traveling due to coronavirus has decreased, and that it is not possible to tolerate this situation any more.
F
lybe boss Mark Anderson; He said that the effect of the coronavirus outbreak on air travel demand was partly responsible for its collapse. Anderson said he was “very sad” for the collapse of the firm. In a letter from the airline’s staff, chief executive Mark Anderson: “Despite every effort, we have no alternative anymore - we couldn’t find a suitable solution to keep us trading.” In response to the crash, the UK government said it was ready to assist Flybe employees in finding new jobs and would work with other airlines to replace services: “How to route routes that are not covered by other airline companies urgently to minimize any disruption on the routes operated by Flybe. that it will be reinstalled. “ Transport Minister Grant Shapps said everyone was “encouraged” about the news, but added: “At the beginning of the year, we tried to do everything we can come back to. “Unfortunately, he was unable to survive because of the situation that developed with the already weak company, Koronavirus.” said.
The effect of coronavirus on airway companies The statement from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), headquartered in Montreal, Canada, evaluated the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the air transport industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that airline companies’ revenues may decrease by $ 63 to $ 113 billion this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. German airline Lufthansa announced that the number of passengers traveling due to coronavirus has decreased. For this reason, the company announced that now 150 planes were taken off. 16 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Sümeyye Boyacı, whom Barbie chose as a role model: ‘I have a dream!’ Famous doll brand Barbie chose Paralympic Swimming European Champion, national swimmer Sümeyye Boyacı as a role model.
B
ecause of prejudice to eliminate their potential of unwitting girls’ imaginary wall choose as role models for successful women in various countries Barbie, for 2020 as a role model from Turkey, 17-year-old chose Painter national swimmer Mohamed. After the gold medal won in the European Paralympic Swimming Championship, Sümeyye Boyacı, who was the second in the world at the World Paralympic Swimming Championship 50 meters above her back, about the role model chosen by Barbie; “It was something I couldn’t have imagined until I was told. I will never forget my current feelings. A Barbie without arms has never been produced so far, I was the first. With me, a Barbie with no arms but wings appeared. I have invisible wings. I am glad and determined to live somebody. The other one is my family’s support for me. So two wings ... “he said. “I have a dream. So far, the Olympics have never taken a medal from Turkey in swimming. I want to buy a gold medal and have our National Anthem listened to the whole world. Whenever I feel very tired in training, this goal comes to my mind. “ “When I was five, I watched the fish in the aquarium and discovered them sleeveless.” At that time, I decided, “Boyacı said, after which he determined his first goal as a championship in the 2020 Tokya Paralympic Games.
/ ÖZEL RÖPORTAJ
www.tbmag.co.uk 17
NEWS
‘World economy to contract in 2020 due to coronavirus’ Credit rating agency Moody’s decreases expectation for global economy from positive 2.6% to negative 0.5% for this year.
T
he world economy is expected to contract by 0.5% in 2020 due to the negative impact of coronavirus, Moody’s, the U.S. based credit rating agency announced late Wednesday. The agency’s previous forecast (November 2019) for this year was 2.6%, it said in a press release. The financial services company, however, said it expected the global economy to grow by 3.2% in 2021. It said that although central banks had responded quickly, the “financial sector’s volatility has exploded to levels last seen during the 2008 global financial stress.” “The financial market stress is a reflection of deep anxiety and uncertainty around the real economic costs that households and businesses around the world will bear,” the statement said, adding that job losses will increase globally in the next few months. “The longer these conditions persist, the more they would potentially feed self-sustaining recessionary dynamics, and expose existing vulnerabilities in the real economy and financial sectors,” it added. Moody’s forecast for advanced economies is negative 2% in 2020 while positive 1.9% for emerging countries. It expects a decline of 2.2% for the eurozone. The agency, which expects negative growth rates in 2020 for almost all G20 countries, forecasts that the Turkish economy will shrink by 1.4% in 2020 and grow by 0.8% in 2021. After first appearing in Wuhan, China last December, the infection has spread to at least 175 countries and territories. The number of confirmed cases worldwide has surpassed 472,000 while the death toll is over 21,300, according to the latest figures by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University. The virus has made several countries enforce a lockdown: shutting down schools and universities, markets, malls, restaurants, as well as suspending air and land traffic.
18 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Turkey’s automotive exports drop in Q1 due to COVID-19 Novel coronavirus outbreak hits Turkey’s automotive exports.
T
urkey’s automotive exports decreased by 10% to stand at $6.98 billion year-on-year in the first quarter due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Uludag Automotive Industry Exporters Association said. The country’s automotive exports were $7.75 billion in the first quarter of 2019, the association’s data showed on Sunday. Monthly automotive exports also decreased by 28.5% to $2.1 billion in March, it said. In the first quarter, the country’s overall exports also posted a decline of 4%. The automotive sector’s exports to the EU countries narrowed by 31% in March. Ruhsar Pekcan, the Turkish trade minister, has said last week that there will be a drop in the total foreign trade of Turkey, but the government is working to keep at the minimum level. Turkey has confirmed a total of 501 fatalities from the novel coronavirus, while the number of infected people reached 23,934, according to official figures late Saturday. After first appearing in Wuhan, China, in December, the virus, has spread to at least 183 countries and regions, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University. The data shows more than 1.2 million cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll nearly 66,500, and over 252,600 recoveries.
/ ÖZEL RÖPORTAJ
In Open Banking, the Customer is gaining strength! Turkish Bank General Manager Mithat Arıkan: “It was inspired by the Open Banking model that is ‘Customer Experience on the basis of Open Investment.”
banks to access and customers to make a transaction this information through the platform they want comes to life with this model. If we explain it with a few examples — it enables customers; to view all their accounts from a single platform, to integrate all their accounts into their systems for commercial customers, to give the information of all banks to the third firm enterprise with their own free will, to make product (e.g. credit) pricing and decisions more accurate accordingly, to make payment transactions from third party platforms or e-commerce sites, and these are some examples that will affect the customer life in Open Banking. Open Banking platforms provide the customer the opportunity to access the loan, payment transactions, money transfers and investment transactions cheaper, easier and from a single point. What will be the contribution of Open Banking applications to the financial system?
T
he banking sector is experiencing a quiet revolution all over the world: Open Banking. Under the leadership of the European Union and especially England, Open Banking, whose foundations were laid in mid-2017 and expected to be implemented in April 2020, brings a new banking approach that takes the bank-customer relationship to a different dimension. With the help of technology, of course, all this transactions cannot be made without customer permission in Open Banking, which is defined as the ability to offer multiple bank account information and transactions that customers have, to the use of a third-party customer on a reliable platform. Turkish Bank UK, member of Turkish Bank Group, collaborated with Token, a pioneer in the field of Open Banking and one of the industry’s leading players. Turkish Bank General Manager Mithat Arıkan stating that they continued to invest in Open Banking technologies in all group banks, especially in the UK, said: ‘We will continue our pioneering position in this regard with the aim of providing new value-added products and services for our customers.’ How will Open Banking affect customers’ lives? As in all matters, we should first consider Open Banking as a customer. Open Banking covers a wide field. First of all, there is customer information on the basis and this information is transparent, the owner of this information has access to this information and manage to them. The right of customers who owns the information in the
THIS IS AN ADVERTISING
Many Open Banking services in the world are provided by fintech companies. We think that the similar process will start soon in our country and will progress rapidly. Financial services will have the opportunity to spread to a wider audience through fintech companies that have acquired the necessary licenses. Thanks to Open Banking, banks can make better predictions about customer expectations when they match customer transaction data with information from other institutions and also it will be able to increase the number of customers and product lists. What kind of model is ‘Open Investment’ — could you mention about it, which you have heard about recently and stated that you had brought it into action based on Open Banking? Open Investment means that hundreds or even thousands of different investment products belonging to the dozens of bank and institutions that is almost impossible for people to follow in our daily life that is accelerating every day are examined for you and the ones that best suit your expectations are left to your decision. Open investment that conducts researches addressing customers’ risk profiles with an independent and reliable stance, as a result of these studies, offers to the customer the most appropriate product alternatives; as a result, targeting 100% wallet share from customers differentiates as a unique customer experience. OPEN INVESTMENT, which we position as a complete financial market; enables our customers to access all financial instruments, including both deposits and mutual funds and derivative products, from a single source. This is Turkey’s leading banks in the financial markets and portfolio management companies’ all of the products are available. www.tbmag.co.uk 19
HABERLER important for the future of brands. We are pleased to bring this valuable award night to the business ecosystem. ” Turkey’s Vestel award for technological domestic brands, while the winners in the other categories as follows:
Turkey’s Technological Brands Announced Nielsen conducted with Turkey and Pazarlamasyo techbrands Turkey’s cooperation in Turkey’s technological brands selected. Turkey’s most technologically brands in 23 different sectors as a result of research by Nielsen Turkey have done has been announced.
N
ielsen Turkey, applying a digital method online survey has identified Turkey’s most technologically brands in 23 categories. In the course was conducted from November 2019 to represent Turkey in 12 provinces (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Tekirdag, Bursa, Adana, Kayseri, Samsun, Trabzon, Erzurum, Malatya, Gaziantep - women and men, ages 15-64, 1000) with It was performed. In a study conducted in 23 categories with openended questions he was asked most technologically brands in Turkey. However, Turkey’s indigenous technological research under this brand also appeared as a general category. Nielsen, CEO of Turkey Didem Şekerel Erdogan about Turkey techbrands “In this period of all brands invest in technology again in the eyes of the consumer brand was important to identify decomposed by the consumer. We also supported the TechBrands initiative that set out for this purpose in carrying out the research. said. The Pazarlamasyo CEO Necip Murat “This year Nielsen Turkey cooperation for the first time within the scope of’ve made Tech Brands Turkey, Turkey’s most technologically advanced brand of researching the most technological brands in their respective sectors, the Tech Day awards night, we presented the awards. Considering that technology is constantly changing and transforming, I think this cooperation with Nielsen is very 20 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
• The Most Technological Fuel Brand: Opet • The Most Technological Bank: Turkey Business Bank • The Most Technological White Goods Brand: Arcelik • The Most Technological Computer Brand: Casper • The Most Technological Mobile Phone Brand: Samsung • The Most Technological Clothing / Textile Brand: LC Waikiki • The Most Technological Airline Company: Turkish Airlines • The Most Technological Cargo Brand: Yurtiçi Cargo • The Most Technological Participation Bank: Ziraat Participation • The Most Technological Personal Care Brand: Gratis • The Most Technological Credit Card: Garanti Bonuscard • The Most Technological Small Appliances Brand: My desire • The Most Technological Mobile Bank: Enpara.com • The Most Technological Online Shopping Brand: Hepsiburada • The Most Technological Online Bank: Garanti Bank • The Most Technological Automotive Brand: Mercedes • The Most Technological Special Education Institution: TED College • The Most Technological Private University: Koç University • The Most Technological Health Institution: Bitter almond • The Most Technological Insurance Brand: Axa Insurance • The Most Technological Supermarket: Migros • The Most Technological Telecommunication Brand: Turkcell • The Most Technological Television Brand: Samsung
Our London office is located in an area which has undergone an enormous change in the past 15 years. There has been 40% business growth since 2010 with particular emphasis on the hospitality, tech and creative sectors. We are proud to be part of this growth by supporting you as your trusted chartered accountants and tax advisers.
Business solutions, tailored accounting services, tax, advisory, wills & probate and more ‌ London: +44 (0) 20 7226 1199 | Manchester: +44 (0) 161 446 2112 info@sterlingpartners.co.uk | sterlingpartners.co.uk
IN FOCUS
Coronavirus Threatens the Global Economy! Coronavirus emerging in China and spreading all over the world, threatens both human health and the country’s economy in these countries. In parallel with the propagation speed, the economic risks posed by the measures taken against countries with coronavirus, especially China, concern international financial markets.
countries with China. Andrew Walker, BBC Business Correspondent remarked: ‘In general since 1970, whenever epidemic disease occurs, global markets have been negatively affected at first. As a result of this; shows concern that economic growth will be curtailed by spreading virus.’ Walker states that markets had reacted negatively in the first three months after viruses appeared, and then had recovered, and this negative atmosphere had been overcome within six months. By selecting as the baseline that negative impact on New Year holiday travels initially in China and consumer’s spending during this period about the coronavirus epidemic, which started to be on the agenda of the Chinese New Year holiday on January 25, investors predicted that China’s first quarter growth figures would be lower than expected for 2020. But in a short time like a month, production sectors were negatively affected due to non-importing materials because normally, countries trading with China will stop exporting. And the production of some automobile brands in Europe has been stopped. The economic risk made by the coronavirus, began to adversely affect countries with trade relations with China.
The world’s second largest economy is collapsing
C
oronavirus, which continues to spread rapidly all over the world, has become a threat not only in health but also in terms of economy. Covid-19: Since January when it appeared in China, while coronavirus has been spreading rapidly in neighbouring countries like South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, has also extended its influence beyond Asian countries and has become a global threat. Nearly 90 thousand people were affected by the virus, which spread to 209 countries in a month and the number of those who died was over 83,000. A new type of coronavirus emerging in China and rapidly spreading to other countries, concerns not only health-related institutions but also financial markets. Initially, while worrying about the negative impact of coronavirus on the Chinese economy, the situation has now affected the trade relations and investments of all 22 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
China -the world’s second largest economy and largest foreign trade centre- is the most important export market for 33 countries and the most important import source for 65 countries. In addition, the Wuhan Region, the starting point of the crisis, hosts 300 of the world’s 500 largest global companies. The total number of global companies reaches 900 with the technology companies that have settled in the region in the last few years. The situation leads that discussion about the possible effects of the coronavirus epidemic, focuses on the possibility of a recession in the world economy. Biggest drops in markets following the coronavirus meeting occurred on Monday, January 27, when exchanges opened after the Chinese New Year. It is observed that indices had decreased in most stock markets from the USA to Europe. In addition to the shares of airlines, the shares of many luxury brands such as Burberry, the biggest customer of China, decreased. Also crude oil prices decreased because of the expectation that the decrease in China’s air travel demand will have a negative impact on oil demand. Nissan, PSA and Renault companies have announced that they would withdraw foreigners working at their factories in China. Lee Hardman, currency analyst from the Japanese Bank MUFG explaining to Financial Times about what hap-
/ COVID-19
pened after virus outbreak, stated that the virus had been regressing for the global economy and manufacturing industry, which had started to recover slightly in recent months. While trade wars between the USA and China negatively affect China’s exports, China -with 6% economic growth in 2019- has been at the lowest level in the last 30 years.
Measures restrict movement of goods as much as people The economic impact of the coronavirus continues to increase in parallel with the rate of its spread. Most of the effect is not caused from the virus itself, it is due to the measures taken to prevent it from spreading. Severe travel restrictions introduced in the city of Wuhan, where the virus was first seen, with a population of 11 million, and in the province of Hubei, where Wuhan is located. These measures restrict the movement of not only people, but also goods. Disruption of production and sales processes also affect cash flow. This problem especially for small companies, effects on payments that companies need to make and staff salaries. Many people from the first days of the outbreak avoid going to venues and events where they think they can get the virus. That’s why restaurants, cinemas, transportation services, hotels and shops, whose customers are decreasing in the country, were rapidly affected. Buyers from other countries to protect themselves from virus to prefer procurement from countries other than China, negatively affect the Chinese market for export companies. Herbert Wun, owner of Wing Sang Electrical, who spoke to the BBC, said that companies currently had affected by the US-China trade war probably won’t be able to handle such a result. ‘The epidemic will increase the pressure on customers trying to get China out of their supply chains,’ said Wun.
Economic effects exceed China’s borders The effect of the virus on the economy is no longer felt only in China. In the first month of the outbreak, financial markets remained low, feeling the effects of the crisis and the real effects are listed as follows: International chains such as IKEA and Starbucks, which have shops in China, closed their stores. Many international airlines stopped their flights to China. Hotels start to pay their money back to customers who have booked. Tesla temporarily closed its factory in Shanghai. South Korean Hyundai stopped car production as it had trouble in sourcing materials from China. Prices
of industrial products, of which China is among the major buyers, have fallen. Crude oil price fell to the lowest level in the past year, dropped 15%. Copper prices dropped 13%. Also the drop in copper, an important material for the construction industry, is associated with the fact that the construction in China that will be affected by the measures taken within the scope of the epidemic. China, which is an important supplier in the global engine and electronics industries, enhances a lot of concern in global integrated supply chains. Many mobile phones are also manufactured in China, or some parts made in China are used.
Automotive production was interrupted Automobile companies are alert to possible disruptions for Chinese factories and suppliers. Fiat’s warning, however, was the first emphasis on the impact of the epidemic crisis in Europe. Fiat Chrysler said that the impact of the coronavirus outbreak could stop production at one of the European facilities. PSA, owner of Nissan, General Motors, Honda, Renault and Peugeot-Citroen brands, is one of the companies with large facilities in Hubei province and Wuhan city, which has been under lockup since January. According to the BBC news, Land Rower and Jaguar that are British automakers brought the parts with a suitcase that will meet the urgent need, due to disruption of spare parts imports.
www.tbmag.co.uk 23
IN FOCUS
Coronavirus is losing $ 26 billion a week Growth expectations are currently being revised downwards with the coronavirus effect worldwide. According to the report by British commercial insurance research firm Euler Hermes evaluating the effects of coronavirus on the world economy; it is calculated that there may be a loss of approximately 26 billion dollars in the export of goods and services due to the facilities closed in China. According to the report, recession will likely continue in manufacturing industry and trade sectors and in the first quarter of 2020, global growth will decrease by 2%. In the report stating that the disruption of commercial activities in China due to the epidemic could be carried over long-term levels in the textile, machinery, transportation equipment and commodity sectors, it is highlighted that there was a risk of product shortages in sectors which the stock level was below the long-term average. It is estimated that especially the electronics and computer products sectors were among the most risky sectors. After the companies stocked in 2019, there was not a serious meltdown in the last months of 2019. They expected that stocks will increase again and the manufacturing industry sector will remain in recession in the first half of 2020 globally with uncertainty continuing.
Production economies are affected the most In the report, due to the loss in the exports of goods and services to China, where production and trade were interrupted, global trade growth forecast is revised downwards, down to 1.3%. Countries -most likely to be affected by losses in good trade, estimated to drop to $ 18 billion a week- ranked as; Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Germany and the USA. In terms of service trade, China represents 20% of world travel expenses.
24 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
This rate means a potential loss of $ 6 billion per week for the world. According to the report; although negativities related to coronavirus end, because in the second half of 2020, global growth will remain under pressure due to US-based uncertainties, it will take a long time to compensate for the negative effects of the outbreak. Depending on this situation, the recession in the manufacturing industry and global trade will continue until the first half of the year; it is recorded that downward revision in growth forecasts for China, Europe and many economies, for China the growth forecast for 2020 from 5.9% of to 5.6%, for the Euro Area, it would be reduced from 1% to 0.9%. Euler Hermes explained that forecast of 2020 global GDP growth forecast, in accordance with these revisions, it had reduced approximately from 2,4% to 2,3%.
May drag the global economy into recession! AdMacro, economic management company in the UK, made much more negative predictions about the effect of the virus on the economy. Patrick Perret-Green, chairman of AdMacro’s research team, claimed that it was possible to create recession on global economy by making Lehman Brothers effect, which had triggered the global financial crisis with the collapse of the virus in 2008. Perret-Green shows as a reason that the Chinese economy has grown rapidly since 2003, increasing the population of the city and increasing access to travel. According to analysts, how the new coronavirus outbreak will affect the markets and the economy from now on depends on how quickly the outbreak spreads and what the impact area will be.
The fastest spread in Italy in Europe The coronavirus crosses Chinese borders as well as its economic effects and spread in Europe. The increase in the number of cases in Northern Italy turned the attention of all of Europe to Italy. In Italy, the country most affected by coronavirus in Europe, firstly all public and social events were cancelled in many cities and towns in the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, and activities were stopped in workplaces and schools. Areas where the coronavirus spread rapidly are quarantined, and entrances-exits are limited. However, when the spread of the virus could not be prevented with fourteen-day regional quarantines, the Italian government declared quarantine in the country with a population of 60 million. It is forbidden to leave the house in the country —unless it is mandatory, there is silence in everywhere in streets
/ COVID-19
and squares where are normally filled with tourists. There must be a very valid and proven reason to travel. Italy, where the most deaths occur after China due to Covid-19 virus, took economic measures to combat the pandemic. Giuseppe Conte, Italian Prime Minister reported that the government had allocated 25 billion euros in emergency supplies to combat new type of corona virus (Covid-19) Conte, who shared the details of the new package to fight the corona virus in order to support the economy, said: ‘This package is not for immediate use. Unlike we allocated an extraordinary resource as 25 billion euros to face all the difficulties of this emergency.’ Conte, who emphasized that their aim was to meet the needs of health services with the new package, also expressed
Coronavirus: Workplace Impacts – Short and Long Term Selin İstanbullu Özçağıl
W
ith the discussion whether it is an epidemic or pandemic, Koronavirus (aka Covid-19) has brought the society globally on its knees. As WHO Director-General Dr. Ghebreyesus put it in his media briefi ng, Covid-19 is an uneven epidemic at the global level. International funds are allocated to fi nding, testing, treating and isolating cases, it is unfortunately expanding by the minute. While governments and authorities are busy with containment and mitigation, we all do our best staying informed and functional. What concerns us HR professionals is how the workplace is impacted today and in the future. Operating in the UK, our primary source of reference and information for anything HR focused is CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) and its online and in print publication People Management, streaming global and national updates as well as authority and expert comments. Regardless of the size of the company or the industry it is operating, all businesses are being impacted, either as a threat to workplace health, or as a disruption to business. Fair, just, consistent and humane dealing with the employees is not only crucial for ethical and business savvy conduct of business, but also is a “loud and clear” display of company’s EVP (Employer Value Proposition).
sick pay? How do you escalate internal procedures when employees are instructed by NHS to self-isolate? Do you have internal measures to contain and mitigate? What is your EAP (Emergency Action Plan) in case of a confi rmed case to ensure the employee who contracted the illness is properly treated while the rest of the workforce is handled for their anxiety. A survey conducted by the CIPD exhibits that a third of all employers in the UK do not have a plan in case of a positive result, particularly on patient confi dentiality. Withholding the infected employee’s identity is the responsibility of the employer as personal health data is “special category data” under UK data protection law. Are you prepared for an escalation scenario as it was the case in China, Japan, Italy? Is your business capacility ready for a halt, restructuring, uncentralized/ dispersed/home-offi ce solutions? Are you prepared to support your workforce throughout this time of ambiguity, isolation and illness, fi nancially, emotionally, physically? What about when life goes back to normal?
How do you treat employees who show symptoms at the workplace? Do they feel supported and protected against forms of harassment?
It is very diffi cult to know what is the best way to acting. In contact with our clients we urge them to consider their decisions at this time thinking it is a way to “invest” for when all goes back to normal. All employees, ill or healthy, will remember how their employer treated them in such a time.
How do you deal with employees who impose voluntary self isolation? Do you provide support in means of fi nancial stability in an attempt to reduce risk and exhibit care? Are you familiar with the discussions around
As it is said, all good companies see times of crises as an opportunity, see it as the time to invest for future capabilities. Business will come back, so will employees…
www.tbmag.co.uk 25
IN FOCUS ports that nobody would lose their job due to the corona virus. They concern that the interruption in the Italian economy for the past 12 years was getting worse. According to the data of the Italian statistics institution, nearly 300 thousand Chinese live in the country, and there are 50 thousand Chinese companies. Italy is also the European country that attracts the most Chinese tourists.
The virus also affected business trips
his satisfaction with the EU’s approach towards Italy’s budget flexibility demand.
Production can be interrupted Conte, stating that they hadn’t been ignored the additional restrictive measures regarding the proposal to stop all production for 15 days for effective combat with Covid-19 from managers of the Lombardy and Piedmont regions where the virus is most common, said: I expect the Lombardy region to describe further measures that it is necessary. There is a technical scientific committee that should guide us, and we must follow a path with it. The Milan Stock Exchange closed with 5.43% depreciation on February 25, when news of the virus spread from Italy began to come. Automobile producer Fiat-Chrysler stopped production for a while at 3 facilities in Italy its scope with corona virus fighting. Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri said it was reasonable to expect a few declines in GDP due to the corona virus crisis. Gualtieri re-
26 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Due to the epidemic, many companies cancelled their travel plans. Loss in the global ‘business travel’ industry is estimated to reach approximately $ 820 billion; about half of this figure is due to cancellations in China. According to the research of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), travels to Asia are mostly cancelled because of the epidemic that negatively affected many sectors in the world. Three of four companies participating in the research, reported that they had cancelled or suspended all or most business trips to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Asia-Pacific countries. Scott Solombrino, GBTA Operations Director, said in a statement: ‘Coronavirus significantly affects the business travel industry’s profitability. The impact of this situation on the business travel industry and on the wider economy cannot be neglected.’ China, which has experienced 95% decrease in business travels since the outbreak, is expected to lose $ 404.1 billion in corporate travel. The loss from Europe in business travels is estimated to be $ 190.5 billion. Considering those airlines and hotels benefit mostly from corporate spending, the spread of the virus continues to affect the income of these businesses in a negative way. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) argued that airline companies might experience an income loss between $ 63 billion and $ 113 billion due to coronavirus. Airline companies such as Ryanair, British Airways and easyJet have warned that there might be serious income losses due to their coronavirus, due to cancellation of flights and ticket changes among many countries. Flybe, one of the airline companies that have an important share in domestic flights in the UK, announced its bankruptcy. The effects and results of the epidemic that the world is currently focusing on — can be seen more clearly in the economic indicators in the second half of the year. We hope it takes a short time and results quickly.
/ COVID-19
Fitch; “Turkish economy to keep growing postCOVID-19” Growth projected to recover in Q4 as activities normalize after partial lockdown, to hit 4.5% in 2021, says Fitch official
Pointing to Fitch’s updated growth forecast of 0.8% for Turkey despite a global contraction, Winslow said: “Part of the reason we still forecast slight GDP growth for 2020 as a whole is the strong momentum early in the year driven by a recovery in private bank lending, as well as the lower interest rate.” He added that a sizeable fiscal stimulus through Turkey’s Economic Stability Shield and further measures to prop up lending in state banks will provide some additional support to economic activity. Last month, Turkey unveiled a relief package worth 100 billion Turkish liras ($15.4 billion) -- the Economic Stability Shield -- to limit the economic fallout from COVID-19. As Fitch forecast the eurozone to shrink by 4.2% this year, Turkey’s net exports will have a negative impact on GDP growth this year, Winslow said. “This is likely to outweigh the benefits to the Turkish economy from lower imports and any potential relocation of export capacity,” he added. Winslow said the country’s year-end inflation rate was revised down to 8.5% driven by “weaker GDP growth.” The annual inflation rate in March was 11.86%, according to TurkStat. Last September Ankara targeted inflation for this year of 8.5%, while the Central Bank has forecast 8.2%.
T
urkey’s economy will catch up with its sustainable trend of growth next year, a Fitch Ratings’ sovereign team director said on Monday. Turkey’s gross domestic product (GDP) will expand by 4.5% in 2021 after struggling this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Douglas Winslow told Anadolu Agency. “In the first quarter of this year -- before the coronavirus shock -- economic growth had accelerated to above 6% ... we now anticipate a very sharp contraction in the second quarter, flatter growth in the third quarter, and then recovery in the fourth quarter, as activities begin to normalize after the partial lockdown,” he said. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), in 2019 Turkey’s economy posted growth of 0.9%.
Anadolu Agency
If the virus is not effectively contained, and partial lockdown conditions continue into the third quarter, significantly weaker growth would be expected, Winslow warned.
Fitch also projects a 100 basis point cut in Turkey’s interest rates to 8.75% at the end of the year. On March 17, in an extraordinary meeting, the Turkish Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee cut its policy rate from 10.75 to 9.75.
With more than 20 years of experience in the country, Fitch Ratings continues to serve the Turkish market and its investors through its offi ces across Europe with the main business and relationship management contacts being based in the London. Fitch Ratings remains highly committed to Turkey and to all users of its ratings in the Turkish market. Fitch Ratings has a substantial business in Turkey and strong relationships with Turkish issuers and investors; Turkey remains an extremely important part of our business and we continue to grow our coverage in all sectors.
www.tbmag.co.uk 27
BUSINESS
Time for governments, brands and employers to protect supply chain and precarious workers Steps should be taken to protect workers and business, write Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the ITUC, and Phil Bloomer, Executive Director of Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.
A
s the economic and human rights impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak come into view, we are again seeing supply chain and frontline workers, alongside those in precarious and informal jobs, bear the worst impacts of a crisis. The ITUC and Business & Human Rights Resource Centre are receiving increasing and worrying reports of mass lay-offs without social protection; little or no sick pay for self-isolation; and service workers not receiving the same protective measures as customers.
28 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Workers in Asia are reporting accelerating mass lay-offs through factory shut-downs, and slow-downs, as the epidemic worsens. There are reports of factories using COVID-19 shut-downs to dodge union disputes, and health workers left vulnerable to infection through inadequate precaution by employers. Businesses also face contraction, with UNCTAD reporting the top 5000 transnational corporations revising their 2020 earnings down by an average of nine percent. Automotive companies and airlines estimate shrinkage of over -40%, and energy and raw materials industries -13%. The initial evidence points to a cluster of leading companies acting promptly to protect their own employees by offering flexible work options, and some committing to pay hourly and subcontracted workers their regular wages despite reduced demand for services. Equally, leading governments are adopting early measures to mitigate the hardship faced by sick or laid-off workers and their families – measures that are also likely to reduce disease transmission rates. But we are not yet seeing similar considerations offered lower down supply chains where many millions of workers, often predominantly women, eke out a livelihood and will usually be the main carers for the sick in their families and communities.
/ COVID-19
For instance, the Cambodia Labour Confederation reported last week that 33 factories have already temporarily halted production and suspended the contracts of over 17,000 workers. If raw material shortages worsen, hundreds of more factories could close by the end of March affecting thousands of workers. This is exacerbated by reduced orders by buyers as the virus has spread to major export markets in Europe and the USA. In response to closures, the Cambodian Government has announced that factories will be given tax holidays if they can demonstrate that their business has been affected by COVID-19 (or the EU’s Everything But Arms trade preference withdrawal), and that suspended workers will receive 60% of their pay, with 20% coming from the Government. This is a welcome move. But with most workers relying on overtime to even get close to a wage to live on, a 40% pay cut will worsen workers’ privation. Worse still, there is a considerable risk that factories won’t suspend production, but simply shut in order to avoid any payment of reduced wages. In line with governments extending support to business, ITUC is calling on governments and international institutions considering vital stimulus packages to learn the lessons of the 2008/2009 financial crisis and design income support that working families need and business will benefit from, rather than merely bailing out banks and financial institutions. These would be moves towards the redesign of more sustainable and equitable economies. Meanwhile, the most responsible brands that source from countries like Cambodia may be taking action to protect their supply chain workers, but so far very little has been said publicly. And for the less scrupulous brands, the supply chains are designed to ensure that companies can cut and run, passing the costs down to workers and manufacturers. The same pattern is emerging across Asia, with reports of large numbers of factories threatening closure in the Philippines, Myanmar (20 in Yangon as of last week), Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka (50 factories or more threatened with tem-
porary closure as of last week). In these countries, both governments and brands are eerily quiet on the measures to be taken to protect workers from the epidemic and from worsening poverty. Workplaces are frontlines in the battle against the spread of COVID-19. The ITUC is calling for urgent measures to ensure that workers who display symptoms can receive free health care and take sick leave without fear of losing their jobs or incomes. Equally, companies need to ensure a duty of care for all their workers, including migrant workers. In Vietnam, an estimated 5,000 workers at a stuffed-animal manufacturer staged a strike for three days over concerns that several of their Chinese co-workers were not being properly quarantined on return from their Chinese New Year. In Nepal, the government has issued an advisory to migrant workers not to travel for jobs in South Korea and the Middle East. Thirty-eight Nepali workers travelling to Bahrain via Dubai have been deported on the grounds that Nepal is designated as a country vulnerable to a disease outbreak by the WHO. Gig economy workers, usually misclassified as ‘self-employed’, also face serious consequences, as one UK worker summed up: “If I catch something I’m screwed…Gig economy workers can’t afford to be ill. My bank balance is literally £4 something right now”. The danger lies in the possibility that workers in these circumstances will feel compelled to work with the virus, imperilling their own health and the health of those they come into contact with. But there is also good news emerging. Hubei, the province at the centre of the COVID-19 epidemic in China, is scheduled to resume normal production on Wednesday 11 March. This gives hope to workers around the world that with adequate measures taken by governments, and with the full cooperation of employers and brands to protect their workers, this epidemic can be beaten – and while the unnecessary suffering of workers and their families is substantial, it could be temporary. www.tbmag.co.uk 29
BUSINESS These theories appear to have first emerged via Facebook posts in late January, around the same time the first cases were recorded in the US.
They appear to fall broadly in to two camps:
According to scientists, claims about 5G ‘complete rubbish’
Conspiracy theories claiming 5G technology helps transmit coronavirus have been condemned by the scientific community. By Rachel Schraer & Eleanor Lawrie Reality Check www.bbc.co.uk/
V
ideos have been shared on social media showing mobile phone masts on fire in Birmingham and Merseyside - along with the claims. The posts have been shared on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram - including by verified accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers.
But scientists say the idea of a connection between Covid-19 and 5G is “complete rubbish” and biologically impossible. The conspiracy theories have been branded “the worst kind of fake news” by NHS England Medical Director Stephen Powis.
Conspiracy theory Many of those sharing the post are pushing a conspiracy theory falsely claiming that 5G which is used in mobile phone networks and relies on signals carried by radio waves - is somehow responsible for coronavirus. 30 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
One claims 5G can suppress the immune system, thus making people more susceptible to catching the virus. The other suggests the virus can somehow be transmitted through the use of 5G technology. Both these notions are “complete rubbish,” says Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading. “The idea that 5G lowers your immune system doesn’t stand up to scrutiny,” Dr Clarke says. “Your immune system can be dipped by all sorts of thing - by being tired one day, or not having a good diet. Those fluctuations aren’t huge but can make you more susceptible to catching viruses.” While very strong radio waves can cause heating, 5G is nowhere near strong enough to heat people up enough to have any meaningful effect. “Radio waves can disrupt your physiology as they heat you up, meaning your immune system can’t function. But [the energy levels from] 5G radio waves are tiny and they are nowhere near strong enough to affect the immune system. There have been lots of studies on this.” Graphic on right page shows 5G’s frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum - within the non-ionising band at the lower end of the scale. The radio waves involved in 5G and other mobile phone technology sit on the low frequency end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Less powerful than visible light, they are not strong enough to damage cells - unlike radiation at the higher frequency end of the spectrum which includes the sun’s rays and medical x-rays. It would also be impossible for 5G to transmit the virus, Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, adds. “The present epidemic is caused by a virus that is passed from one infected person to another. We know this is true. We even have the virus growing in our lab, obtained from a person with the illness. Viruses and electromagnetic waves that make mobile phones and internet connections work are different things. As different as chalk and cheese,” he says. It’s also important to note another major flaw with the conspiracy theories - coronavirus is spreading in UK cities where 5G has yet to be
/ TECHNOLOGY
deployed, and in countries like Iran that have yet to roll out the technology. There were plenty of scare stories about 5G circulating before the coronavirus outbreak which Reality Check has already looked into, such as this piece: Does 5G pose health risks? Earlier this year, a long-running study from the watchdog the International Commission on NonIonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) rebutted these claims, saying there was no evidence that mobile networks cause cancer or other illnesses. Coronavirus: What you need to know graphic featuring three key points: wash your hands for 20 seconds; use a tissue for coughs; avoid touching your face.
But if anything, the misinformation seems to have escalated. Trade body Mobile UK has said false rumours and theories linking 5G and coronavirus were “concerning,” while the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has reiterated there is “absolutely no credible evidence for the link”. Viruses invade human or animal cells and use them to reproduce, which is what causes infection. Viruses cannot live very long outside a living thing, so they have to find a way in - usually via droplets of liquid from coughs or sneezes. Genome sequencing of this coronavirus suggests it jumped from animals to humans - and then began to pass from human to human.
Where 5G fits in the electromagnetic spectrum
www.tbmag.co.uk 31
BUSINESS
How Corona Virus Affected Online Sales? The corona virus, which sits on the world agenda, seems to negatively affect both our personal and business life for a long time. It is really difficult to predict the duration and level of this effect. It is our greatest desire to develop virus-fighting methods as soon as possible. In this article, I would like to talk about the effects of crisis times on trade and online sales.
Murat Buyurgan
W
ith the first appearance of the Corona virus in China, especially the supply muratbuyurgan.com processes began to be adversely affected. Supply chain management is one of the most important factors for a profitable operation in trade. Although the adversities that occured in the procurement process in China it can have a positive impact on Turkey’s export potential, an appropriate work culture to move toward making the manufacturers to supply products to entrepreneurs who sell online world in Turkey is of great importance. Manufacturers need to do more than attend fairs abroad to increase their export potential. Standardization in production processes is one of Most searched on Amazon Ranking the most important issues. hand sanitiser gel 1 It is among the first things hand sanitizer gel pocket size 2 to do for manufacturers face masks 3 that want to create photos that describe products bethand sanitizer 4 ter and define information, hand sanitiser 5 publish this information on hand gel 6 websites, especially in Engantibacterial gel 7 lish, and prepare potentially alcohol gel hand sanitiser 8 SEO-friendly websites and antibacterial hand gel 9 potentially increase their exmask 10 port volumes. taking.
The Effect of Corona Virus on Online Sales in the UK As the corona virus began to take effect in the UK, it also had a lot of impact on online sales. With the negative news in the media, people’s demands for consumer goods, which they regard primarily as face masks and antibacterial hand soaps, have increased significantly. As the products that can be found on the shelves were bought from local markets, some 32 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
products started to empty their shelves. The inability to find products that can be easily obtained from the markets led people to online sales channels. Sales of protective face masks and antibacterial products on Amazon and Ebay exploded, so to speak. With Amazon and Ebay facilitating international sales, orders started to increase not only from the UK but also from the European countries. With the increase in demand and the decrease of products in the market, many products were exposed to excessive pricing. Despite this situation, many people continued to buy some products at a price above market value. We have seen that Amazon and Ebay intervene to this situation within certain limits. Both Amazon and Ebay warned that over-pricing did not meet fair sales criteria in their notifications to sellers selling on their platforms, so that products and even vendor accounts of sellers could be closed. Especially on Ebay, hundreds of people and companies put on the masks and antibacterial products that they somehow supplied. We started to see protective face masks sold by auction on Ebay. We have seen that antibacterial soaps, which are sold at Amazon at extremely high prices and to be sent from China almost 1 month later, are among the best selling products, albeit temporarily. As I prepared this article, the high demand for antivirus products continued and prices were still higher than usual. It is not difficult to predict that this situation will be temporary. As the air of panic among people dissipates, excessive demand for these products will fall, and the impact will be reflected in prices. All these things remind us once more of the most basic rule of trade; Supply and demand balance is the primary factor that determines the price of a product. If the supplier, that is the seller, in a product with the demand is low, the price increases. If demand is low or supply is high with demand, price decreases. In the first week of March, face masks and antibacterial gels were among the most sought-after words on Amazon. Using different software, it is possible to analyze the sales quantity of products sold on Amazon on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. You can review the most popular sales analysis software from the link http://bit.ly/amazonanaliz. You can access my previous articles at www.muratbuyurgan.com, follow my experiences on Amazon FBA and Ebay sales from my social media accounts and send them to me if you have questions.
/ TECHNOLOGY
gClouds Joins Google Cloud Partner Program to Empower Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Computing for Customers with Anthos
g
Clouds, the information technology consulting company, today announced that it has joined the Google Cloud Partner Program as a service partner giving Google Cloud customers the ability to accelerate digital transformation with the help of hybrid cloud technology, Anthos. Anthos is a software that can run on existing hardware and will let customers manage and deploy workloads across clouds and even on-prem, all without having to worry about the different environments and APIs. As a Google Cloud partner, gClouds offers customers the experience of “write once and run everywhere” with Anthos. Anthos lets you run your applications, unmodified, on existing on-prem hardware investments or in the public cloud. Anthos provides:
stack. By using containers, even legacy applications will be portable and migration to any cloud provider will be so easy. Anthos will be the bridge to cloud by enabling hybrid cloud infrastructures as well as serverless functions on-prem. We look forward to bringing Google Cloud Partner Program advantages and benefits to our customers’ businesses as an official service partner.” Without buying any more hardware, ask for Anthos PoC from our experienced consultancy team and enjoy the power of Google’s expertise in software developing, at your own environment.
Containerizing legacy application
www.gclouds.co.uk
Service Mesh, that gives microservices capability Managed Google Cloud services on-prem Mustafa Gulercan, Director, gClouds, said: “gClouds will be the enabler for multi-cloud and hybrid cloud integration for customers who are in the Digital Transformation phase by bringing Anthos capabilities into their datacenter. Because Anthos is software that runs on your existing hardware, there is no need to invest additional hardware
About gClouds gClouds is a boutique UK based professional services company that helps to your cloud journey by providing consultancy for Google Cloud Platform. Our highly experienced, Google Certified consulting team, plan, design reliable cloud infrastructure and deliver migrations and transformations to the Google Cloud Platform. www.tbmag.co.uk 33
BUSINESS
What I Learned Interviewing London’s Startup Founders? There are hidden insights to being successful as a startup founder in London. It usually takes a few years (minimum) to decipher and another 5 to 10 to actually be able to say “I know my way around” this epic city. Ozan Dagdeviren Startup Consultant | Author
L
ondon is not Silicon Valley. Yet, it is still the most American part of Europe. Which means two things. 1) It is European to start with in many ways. Which does not always mean entrepreneurial. 2) It is highly influenced by and in contact with the US. In reality, knowing these two does not actually give us any clue to actually how similar or dissimilar London is to San Francisco or the Silicon Valley. But why is this important in the first place? As someone who has learned the ins and outs of business in İstanbul, naturally my understanding of the commercial landscape was first shaped by what I had seen around me. Out of the 4 jobs I worked before becoming an author/ entrepre-
34 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
neur, one was a British, one was an American and two were Turkish companies. Personal experience is not the only way to learn. We also learn vicariously, from the experiences and insights of others, such as when you read an excerpt from Warren Buffet, you are learning vicariously. It is the same with startups, there are two main ways to learn. Try & fail and experience yourself (very expensive), or learn vicariously. Here is the problem. When it comes to startups most of the sources about what a startups is, how it should be built, and what makes it successful originated from US. From books to podcasts, Youtube videos to blog posts, most of the content that is easily available to you will have emerged from the US with a claim that lessons from there are universal. This definitely is not the case. London has different advantages and disadvantages. I have founded Startups of London to tell the stories of London’s startups with a vision to be London’s #1 resource to learn about startups & entrepreneurship, based on what things are like here in London. So far, we have told the stories of 14 startups through video documentaries published on our Youtube channel and through blog posts and
/ CAREER SCHOOL podcasts available on startupsoflondon.com and in podcast platforms. Type “startups of london” into any search engine and you will find us. I personally conducted the founder interviews and specifically asked what it is like to live and work in London and how it is different. Based on these conversations, here are the top insights I was able to distill.
1 Investors are more risk averse. Being the finance capital of the world (always in competition with New York) London has a lot of capital. This capital is made up of generational wealth and is a safe haven for many. That’s why the key theme is “protect” rather than “double” the money. Which is in contrast with the American model. This reflects to startup funding as well. Investors are less interested in high-risk high-reward gambles while investing and want to see more numbers that prove with a bigger certainty that the business is going to succeed.
2 Less iterations and experimentation. A bedrock of startups is iterating and experimenting until they find the best product-market fit. While the experimentational mindset is there with most of the founders, the startups themselves change direction less often and less radically. Lavanda, one of the startups we featured, started off as a laundry service but pivoted into a proptech startup. Yet examples like this were less than we expected. Usually startups, as in the case of Soldo, Feast-it, Elder and some others, identify a problem, know how to get there and do not pivot too much.
3 Failure is less okay. This was well emphasised by Sri, the founder of Increasingly. As someone who spent time in the US as well as the UK, he expressed that while this is changing, it is still less okay to fail here in the UK. It is not the badge-of-honour as it is in Silicon Valley.
4 Everything takes longer. There is almost this eerie sense that people are not as hungry to earn more or grow their businesses faster. This is accentuated by two factors playing into each other. First, there are many long-established businesses and becoming a trusted business might take years. Even when you are 2 years old, you are still very new. Secondly, people do not have the sense of urgency that is typical of emerging markets and the US. It might take 3 weeks to
get an answer to an e-mail another 2 to set up the next call, and 5 more for them to make a smallish decision. As a result, everything and especially growing a business to profitability takes longer.
5 Social class and individual biases play a part. From an individual perspective, London is as cosmopolitan and welcoming as a city can get. What’s not to love? From a business/cultural perspective, however, there are certain preconceptions about which nationalities do which jobs, with white middle-aged English people at the top of the pecking order. Imagine you are a founder with just a pitch-deck looking for investment. İt is a drastically different story if you have an Oxbridge background or more importantly have contacts, then if you graduated from a no-name University with just a few people you know in London. According to the Great British Class Survey, on part of class, social capital is defined as the number and social status of the contacts you have. In other words, how many high quality contacts you have, and how much they earn is in direct correlation with your individual financial worth. From the conversations I have had with French people (mostly founders or people who work in tech / startups), I can say the UK is more similar to the US when compared to France. With people I know who live in Austria, the observation is similar. Middle Europe, with the possible exception of Berlin, is even more conservative when it comes to embracing new tech, riskaversion and disrupting existing ways laid out by tradition. So, London is not so bad after all. It all depends on where you compare it to, really. Just set your expectations right so you can make better plans and higher quality decisions, whatever you are working on. www.tbmag.co.uk 35
BUSINESS
The UK set out the new immigration system, where global talent and sponsorship are key The government has announced a new points-based migration system that will “open the country to the brightest and the best people in the world”. With the new system that will come into force in 2021, it is aimed to attract the labour force trained in the fields of science and technology to the country.
T
he UK government has announced a new point-based migration system that will “open the country to the brightest and best people in the world” after Brexit. With the new system, which will be effective as of January 1, 2021 when free movement and the European Union (EU) ends, it is aimed to attract and grant work permits for the UK, such a labour force trained in science and technology. To achieve this, new immigration system will make a shift from ‘point based system’ to new ‘job offer system’ with minimum threshold salary, alongside PhD and good level of English are being standardised. Minister of Home Office, Priti Patel, said in one of his statement that the new system will come into force on January 1, 2021. She articulated that it will be a historical decision for the whole country by adding: “We put an end to free movement, we take control of our borders. We will attract the brightest and best people from all over the
36 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
world and reveal the full potential of this country”. Regarding the new system, she make an, emphasise how they have taken into account the demands of the British people. Patel called British companies to invest on their own native work forces with prioritising automation technologies, by reducing the share of “cheap labour” from Europe. The new system will treat the EU and nonEU citizens equally and will target to attract people who can contribute to the UK economy the most. Irish citizens will be able to enter and live in England as the way they currently do. EU and citizens of non-EU countries will be subject to the same migration arrangements after 1 January 2021. The new immigration system was one of the most important election promises of the Boris Johnson government in the UK and, which left the EU on 31 January. Priority for investor, business development and talent visas There are two categories of visas that stand out in the new migration system. With the new arrangements made within the UK visa system, which is generally categorised as Stage 1 and Stage 2; The “Extraordinary Ability” visa within the scope of Phase 1 has been updated and became a “Global Ability” visa as of February 20, 2020. A Qualified Employee visa, which is a general visa under Stage 2, requires ‘sponsorship’ namely a job offer about his talent from a licensed employer in the UK.
/ ACTUAL NEWS
In the updated new migration system, investor, business development and talent visas come to the fore. In this context, there are Stage 1 Investor and Entrepreneur visa and Extraordinary Talent visa, which is now called as Global Talent, as well as Start-up visa and Innovative visa categories. Within the scope of Stage 2, Qualified Employee and Internal Transfer categories are included. With these categories, it is aimed to attract and bring the labor force trained in science and technology to the UK. Global Talent Visa The global talent program will open to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. It will allow highly skilled scientists and researchers to come to UK without a job offer. The Global Talent visa covers talented and promising people in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, art and culture who want to work in the UK. The Global Talent visa category has replaced the former Phase 1 (Extraordinary Ability) category from February 20, 2020. The Global Talent immigration category is open to talented and promising candidates in science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, art and culture (including film and television, fashion design and architecture). ‘Talent’ applicants are required to demonstrate extraordinary talent as a recognized leader in their field or ‘promise’ to be a rising talent. Besides, being accepted to a fund supported in the field of Research and Innovation in the UK is one of the alternatives under this visa. However, applications must be approved by an organization related to the field of qualifications called the ‘approval institution’. These organizations according to areas are listed as;
and Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) for film and television. The annual number of applications limitation in the extraordinary talent category has been removed in the Global Talent category. At the end of these visas, they have the right to apply for settlement in the UK in 5 years. Talented employees The points-based system will include a route for skilled workers who receive job offers from an approved employer sponsor. From January 2021, the required skill level of the job offered will have to be equivalent to level A. The applicants will be allowed to come to the country, who have achieved sufficient scores, taking into account factors such as English level, profession and educational background. As qualified employees, applicants will be required to receive job offers and the company or institution making the offer will have to pay a minimum of £ 25,500 per year. For those who will earn less than this (less than £ 20,480), they will be asked to get a job offer in a rare occupation or seek a doctorate about work.
• The Royal Society of Science and Medicine, • The Royal Academy of Engineering for Engineering, • The British Academy for Humanities, • Tech Nation for Digital Technology, • Arts Council England for art and culture, • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for research applicants. If the field of art and culture is in the field of fashion, architecture or film and television, Arts Council of England is about to examine applications according to their areas of expertise; British Fashion Council for fashion transmits to Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for architecture www.tbmag.co.uk 37
BUSINESS
The Brief History of Immigration to the Island of Hope Britain
T
he UK has recently announced the new immigration system. Demographic changes that led the country to the edge of cataclysmic Brexit, has also prepared foreground conditions of the new immigration system. Modern immigration movements re ect the structural changes on the population throughout the 21st Century. The change of the structural pattern of the population of 2000s demonstrates some clear differences from the history of immigration in the UK after 1948. By the increase of the proportion of immigrants in the UK substantially differentiated the profi le of immigration over the whole, especially in the last 20 years of the 70 years period of time, 1948 onward, the year British Citizenship Act came into effect. The same wind of change that also prepared the foreground of Brexit and now ultimately brought the new immigration system in which exclusive preference is made to accept to the UK the brightest possible immigrants in the fi eld of science and technology.
Immigration in Modern History to the UK It is commonly accepted that embarking of the “Windrush Empire� ship with her 492 passengers to the UK on 22nd June 1948, as a symbolic date of beginning of the modern immigration to the country (Chris Mohen: 2.12.2019, Perspektif). These new comers on the board have been called popularly as the Windrush Generation and they were colonial subjects and were granted by fully extensive residence and right to work in the UK. Citizenship Act, 1948 was also guaranteeing formally the rights of residency of all Commonwealth Citizens, who were one third of the world population then, in the next 15 years. Although at the initial stage immigration was slow, but by 1961, thanks to the right of free movement, Commonwealth immigration reached at 135,000. To give a brake this trend, UK legislated a new Immigration Bill the same year in 1962 by depending Commonwealth citizens on obtaining the work permits and due course, these permits became essential for the entrance to the country and right of residence.
The Distribution of The Immigrant Population The census of 1971 recorded 3 million inhabitants, who were not British born. By then, this fi gure was below 6 percent of the total population. Irish born were 693,000, India 313,000, Pakistan 137,000 (then Eastern Pakistan, now Bangladesh) and Americans 110,000. Census numbered European born people less than 810,000, Caraibbeans 237,000, African borns 210,000 and other Commonwealth immigrant from Canada, Australia and New Zealand were 136,000. 38 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
As of 1981, non-UK born population reached at 3,4 million. Only the number of Irish born immigrants had fallen and that was an exception compared to immigration from all other countries were on rise. The same pattern of demographoc distribution was largely preserved by the turn of the 21st Century.
Factors of Structural Change Current immigration presents a different landscape in the sense that 14 % (9,3 Million) people were born in other than the UK and 6 percent (6,1 million) are non-British people. By the end of 2018, a lion share of non-British citizens constituted Poland, Romania, India, Ireland and Italy. One of the most signifi cant data is diversifi cation of the countries. There are three turning points that can be seen in the structural change of the demography in the 2000s. The landscape was still pretty much similar to the 30 years ago. The slowing down the pace of Irish born immigration has continued steadily from 1981 onwards and fi rst time ever, became second following the Indian immigrants. Another fast moving current was experienced in 2007-2008 by the Polish born immigrants as they comfortably took over Bangladesh, Germany, Pakistan in such a brief period of time like three years. 2014-2015 became another landmark for Polish immigrants and their numbers well exceeded Indian immigrants and rose to the fi rst at rank. The motor power in the acceleration of the EU immigration to the UK was the expansion of the EU to the East and following the debt crisis of the EU, which has also boosted continental circulation of European people. Central and Eastern European countries became full members of the EU in 2004 and have had full access to the EU labour and market. The most recently, Romania, Bulgaria became the latest participants to the UK without any restriction on labour in 2014. In a rough comparison, the number of non-European people in the UK are still considerably higher. Since 2012-2013, the story of immigration in the UK has turned to a chaotic phase; chaos of the last 1000 years. And, these fi gures signal a seismic change is very likely to be so much near.
emerging
nts Eve
ma
Intelligent investment in emerging markets
t in en m
intelligent inve st
ets rk
8th Invest in Turkey Forum 2020 3rd UK - Turkey
Overseas Investment
17-18 September LONDON
Forum 2020
Park Plaza Waterloo Hotel Bronze Sponsor
Partners
Co-hosts
Delegate Bag Sponsor
Media Partners
Media Sponsor
TURKISH BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Register at: www.eelevents.co.uk
TurkishBritish A magazine for Turkish and British Business People
www.tbmag.co.uk 39
BUSINESS compromise between the two sides, the majority don’t expect a compromise from the negotiations.
3rd largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia It is uncertain whether there will be a solution soon from the lasting negotiations between the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side, but Northern Cyprus wants to use all its potential and invites foreign investors to the region. Everywhere in Northern Cyprus, which host many civilizations due to its geopolitical position that is in a strategic position for Turkey’s security, carries traces in the past. It is possible to see castles, mosques, monasteries, churches and chapels in all cities of Northern Cyprus.
Investment Time in North Cyprus Long-standing negotiations on Cyprus Island will continue in 2020. A solution that will satisfy the two communities doesn’t appear anytime soon. However, the TRNC government has stepped up infrastructure works to improve the investment environment and goes to regulations on incentives. TRNC is waiting for investors in tourism, agriculture, informatics, energy, health and many other sectors.
C
yprus, the strategic island in the Mediterranean — On the one hand, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), on the other, the Greek side… Despite the negotiations that have been going on for many years, a problem cannot be solved between the two sections. TRNC tries to determine its future with the Greek side for years. Although small groups of people expect a
40 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Historical buildings such as Kyrenia Castle, Saint Hillarion Castle, Sunken Ship Museum, Barbarism Museum, Selimiye Mosque, Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and Othello Tower that attract attention with its magnificence attract millions of tourists to Northern Cyprus every year. With its unique nature and Mediterranean climate, the north of the island remains the centre of attraction for visits throughout the year. Cyprus is the third largest island of the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia. TRNC with a total area of 2 miles (approximately) corresponds to a third of the island. Half of the island beaches are located within the borders of the TRNC.
Maraş opens up to both tourism and investors Tourism creates great income potential for the TRNC economy. More than a million tourists cre-
/ COUNTRY
ate visitors to the island from Turkey. With the increase in tourism-oriented investments in recent years, an increase in tourism revenues is targeted. Northern Cyprus, where new hotels and holiday villages are built every year, has great potential in terms of tourism investments. Especially after the opening of Maraş, which has been closed for 46 years, has started to be discussed, such a longterm development is expected to offer great opportunities to both tourism and investors in the TRNC. Maraş, the tourism pearl of the Middle East before 1974, had 45 hotels, 60 apart hotels, 3 thousand commercial businesses, 99 entertainment venues, 25 museums, 24 theatres and cinemas, 21 banks and 4 thousand 469 houses. If it is possible to open Maraş, many buildings that have been idle for many years will naturally collapse and a serious contracting service, project finance and investment opportunity will be brought to the agenda in the region.
12 universities approved by the council of higher education
country students, each university holds an examination and determines the students according to the exam result. North Cyprus earns around $ 1 billion annually from the education sector. This figure corresponds to about 25% of the national income.
The British are in the first place in the purchase of real estate Especially in recent years, positive developments in the field of education and tourism have led to serious opportunities in real estate and other fields in Northern Cyprus. The real estate market on the island is growing approximately 30% annually on foreign currency basis. Those who invest in real estate can amortize their investments in 13 years. With its climate, nature and magnificent sea, North Cyprus is a favourite of many people from foreign countries, especially the British. On the island, the British are among the most buyers
With its climate, historical monuments and natural beauties, Northern Cyprus is also known as the ‘university island’. Higher education sector, together with the tourism sector, is the locomotive of the island economy. In addition to the European University of Lefke and Eastern Mediterranean University, 10 private universities are active in the TRNC. There are 12 universities approved by the council of higher education. According to the results of the student selection and placement centre exams, Turkish citizens enroll in universities for a fee. For third
www.tbmag.co.uk 41
BUSINESS the limited domestic market. Modern technology is given priority to projects that facilitate the transfer of know-how and new production techniques to TRNC.
High added value production opportunity in agriculture
of residential areas. Russians, Arabs, Finns and Norwegians are next in line with the British.
Economy will accelerate with investors in TRNC TRNC management, which wants to strengthen its economy, is waiting for foreign investors. The main purpose of investment policy; is to accelerate economic development, to increase the competitiveness of the economy, to mobilize potential resources. Management aims to increase the efficiency of the private enterprise in the economy, and encourage foreign capital to invest in the country. Therefore, export oriented industries are preferred. The investment policy is directed towards the export of goods and services, due to
SECTORS WITH INVESTMENT POTENTIAL Priority and secondary priority sectors determined by TRNC Prime Ministry Cyprus Turkish Investment Development Agency (YAGA): • Special Interest Tourism: In addition to the current mass tourism, there is significant potential in the fields of special interest tourism, health tourism, yacht tourism and ecological tourism. • Health Tourism: There is potential in touristic aged care centres investments. • Yacht Tourism: Yacht accommodation capacity in TRNC is quite low. This situation reveals the need for marina investments. • Ecological tourism: Being the mosaic of various civilizations and cultures, North Cyprus offers various creative investment opportunities in ecological tourism products. • Conference Tourism: 5-star hotels available in the country play an important role in the development of conference tourism.
42 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
In North Cyprus, where water meets with the Cansuyu Project (cansuyu means; water which poured into the bottom after planting seedlings) high value added agriculture and food processing sector as a niche investment, that is, agricultural production will gain much more importance in the coming years. In addition to the citrus product with high added value and high market demand to increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, development of alternative products is aimed. It is foreseen that the agricultural sector could be developed as a sector with high added value through niche investments. Halloumi cheese, Verigo grape, pomegranate, capers, olive oil, citrus honey, locust bean and spices are some of the agricultural products that Northern Cyprus can offer.
Information, energy, health and yacht production niche investment fields The IT sector, which is based on the sector targeting study made by considering the sectorial developments and available resources, has a great potential. TRNC management continue to make an effort for improving the sector. Yacht production -as a niche area at the top of the secondary priority sectors in energy-poor country the TRNC and related sectors- attracts attention as investment areas with high potential. Finance, trade, transportation and logistics are also prominent as investment areas on the island. In TRNC, which has attracted attention as an energy-poverty country for many years, great importance will be attached to alternative energy investments in the coming years. Solar and wind energy resources of the island can be activated with investments with the necessary technical knowledge (know-how). Health care in Northern Cyprus is usually provided by the public. The number of private hospitals is increasing day by day, owing to the investments of the private sector. The development of this sector will support the development of other fields. It should be taken into consideration that the medical departments of universities will have an important contribution to increase the quality of health services in Northern Cyprus.
/ COUNTRY Our goal is to make our country independent of the Cyprus problem into the business centre of tourism, students and large companies.’ ‘There are great exemptions for investors’
ERSİN TATAR, PRESIDENT OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS ‘We are aiming to make TRNC become the centre of attraction in the region.’ Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ersin Tatar pointed out that it was time for the two-state solution to become permanent on the island. Tatar stating that peace talks between Turks and Greeks in Cyprus hadn’t yielded any results, said: ‘There is the fact that there are two states living side by side in Cyprus. Nobody can deny it. We want a Turkish Cypriot state.’ And he said: ‘After all these years, we don’t believe that we should unite in a federal republic where the Greeks rule the Turkish Cypriots. This is something we can never accept.’ Tatar, who is a candidate for the Presidency of the TRNC, warned that if he was elected as the President, he could ready for negotiations and cooperation with the Greeks, but against a ‘forced marriage.’ Although no reconciliation is expected between the two communities anytime soon, the TRNC government is ready to ensure the development of the region and attract more investors to Northern Cyprus. Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, said: ‘TRNC is a rapidly developing country. As the government, we are in an effort to improve the infrastructure in order to keep up with this rapid development.’ And he said: ‘We are aiming to make the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus the centre of attraction in the region. The geographical location of our island gives us this opportunity. It is at a point where Europe, Asia and Africa meet.
Tatar stating that they had given priority to the improvement of the investment climate as a government continues as follows: ‘Reducing bureaucratic measures is our primary task. We are working on it quickly. We are planning to complete the e-government project by the end of 2020. Many transactions can now be done electronically. There is a false perception of taxes. There are great exemptions for investors in our country. Our tax rates are lower than the surrounding countries. However, our Ministry of Finance is working on what can be done on this issue.’ Tatar also gives examples of the advantages offered to investors: ‘According to the Incentive Law implemented by our State Planning Organization, investment allowance for incentives are 100% and 200% to investments in Güzelyurt, Lefke and İskele. Incentive investments are also exempted from taxes, duties, fees that are related to customs, funds, Value Added Tax and construction permits. Tax relief on stamp duty, fee discount related to mortgage transactions are applied. In the loans to be given by the Development Bank, incentive investments are given priority.’ ‘Let them trust the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ Tatar stating that TRNC investments could be made in many areas, he said that businessman could take advantage, particularly with regard to the meeting of the fertile land of Northern Cyprus with water from Turkey. Tatar saying that ‘There is a nice climate in our country’, he said that it could be invested in the field of informatics in North Cyprus, where hundreds of thousands of university students were able to produce efficiently in the agricultural field by using technology. Tatar, who said: ‘We have placed great emphasis on infrastructure investments to improve the investment climate,’ continued: ‘Our goal is creating an electric line cable between the TRNC and Turkey is becoming interconnected. Thus, our aim is; to lower electricity costs and ensure supply security, to develop and operate infrastructure in public-private sector in our ports and telecommunications. They should trust the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. They should be able to see the future of our promising country with their democracy, independent judiciary and developing infrastructure and so they can already buy the future. Our country is an opportunity for investment. Let them evaluate it.’ www.tbmag.co.uk 43
BUSINESS
British Kebab Awards 2020 Winners Revealed British Kebab Awards, which become traditional by giving them in March every year, found their owners this year. Awarded for the 8th time under the main sponsorship of Just Eat, the kebab, which has become an integral part of the daily food habit in the UK, also registers the contribution to the economy.
T
he kebab industry in the UK was celebrate their £2.8 billion contribution to the British economy, and the kebab restaurants and takeout businesses that were selected as the best of the year in various categories were awarded by the jury and with a public vote. To the award ceremony on March 4, Labor Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn; London Mayor Sadiq Khan, along with Labor Minister Nadhim Zahawi, attended more than 100 MPs and Lords, with 1,200 guests.
Nadhim Zahawi
44 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Jeremy Corbyn
Andrew Kenny, UK Managing Director of awards headline sponsor Just Eat, said: “It’s a great honour to have once again sponsored the British Kebab Awards. These awards quite rightly shine the spotlight on the thousands of independent Kebab restaurants that are making an invaluable contribution to both their local communities and the UK economy. Congratulations to all finalists and winners of this year, it’s truly a huge achievement.” Ibrahim Dogus, founder of the Kebab Awards said: “The kebab is an unsung cornerstone of high streets across the country, and the simply superb quality of this year’s entries shows that British small businesses can more than compete on a world stage of cuisine.” Winners took to the stage triumphing in 16 categories, including Booker Makro’s Chef of the Year, Ace4Kebabs Kebab Van of the Year, Just Eat Best Delivery, and eight regional awards for recognising the best kebab restaurants across the UK. In the awards given in 16 categories; Ace4Kebaps was chosen as the best kebab van of the year, BBQ Grill Chatham and Millennium Pizza and Kebab were chosen the best takeaways, and The Mantl was chosen as the best dinner restaurant, while Batman Grill’s Hamza Yalçın was chosen as the chef of the year. The British Kebab Awards is the only one of its kind to recognise the British kebab industry, which supports 200,000 jobs across restaurants, suppliers and the food industry. Every day, more than 1.3m kebabs are sold across Britain.
Sadiq Khan
Karan Bilimoria
/ NEWS
Refresh Yourself launches “Refresh Corporate”
Refresh Yourself, which started activities by organizing Turkish personal development seminars in 2017 and established a strong communication bridge between the Turkish and British community in a short time, is launching Refresh Corporate for business employees this year.
T
he Refresh Yourself platform, which continues its open seminar activities since 2017, is preparing to imply a new success in 2020. The work of “Refresh Corporate”, which is planned to be launched by the platform this year , is continuing rapidly. “Refresh Corporate” will meet the speakers, who are experts in their fields , with the employees of international, local or all small businesses. With this new study, Refresh Yourself will continue to walk with a new platform, emphasizing the contribution of personal development for institutions. “Refresh Corporate” will be a new meeting point with the 30-year professional approach of Refresh Yourself founders, where the approach and setup are actually the same, but tailored to the needs of institutions, with highquality content.
Activity language is English ... Refresh Yourself, which started its adventure in London in 2017, started its journey in the first formation period , open to all participants who live in London, who merge in the common language of ‘only’ Turkish, who care about personal development, and are curious. However, in the process, with the influence of speakers from foreign communities and British living in England, which captured the universal messages of personal development, the common language moved mostly to English, and then the profile of the participants began to evolve seriously. The Refresh Yourself formation became an important communication bridge and started to establish links between the Turkish community and the British community and other stakeholder communities in London. With this powerful effect, all activities / activities started to be held in English, with their common language being open to everyone.
www.tbmag.co.uk 45
BUSINESS ogy, and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM). WORLDEF’s conference series “World E-Commerce Forum” has been organized in different countries since 2017 to bring together stakeholders in the e-export and e-commerce ecosystem.
Ömer Nart: The forum offers e-exporters a great opportunity WORLDEF President Ömer Nart pointed out the importance of the UK market which is Europe’s e-commerce leader. Stating that cross-border e-commerce will be thoroughly approached in World E-Commerce Forum İstanbul, Nart noted that cross-border e-commerce opportunities in the European region specifically for the UK will be discussed.
The UK e-commerce market will be discussed at the World E-Commerce Forum The World E-Commerce Forum will be held in Istanbul in cooperation with WORDLEF and the Department for International Trade of UK.
T
he countdown has started for the “World E-Commerce Forum” organized in a different country each year by the international platform of WORLDEF, which is established to lead the institutions intending to conduct cross-border ecommerce to take part and compete in international markets. The Forum will bring together e-export professionals in Istanbul with the organization partnership of the Department for International Trade of UK.
Nart stated the following; “One of two food orders in the UK is placed over the internet. We have to put emphasis on the UK which is Europe’s largest e-commerce market We’re talking about a country where over 90 percent of internet users shop online. Thus, the UK e-commerce market offers great opportunities for e-exporters. We will discuss the UK e-commerce market this year in the World E-Commerce Forum to get the deserved share of the cake that is this market. We will address the reasons why e-commerce in the UK is even more widespread than it is in the United States.”
Ömer Nart has stated that Brexit, which is the UK’s process of leaving the European Union will also be discussed in the forum and added that”There is a transition process of 10 months in the Brexit. Our e-exporters 20 20 NE 3 of JU need to make use of this process very well. The forum will offer a vision to e-export firms for this reason. In the forum organized jointly with the Department for International Trade of UK and WORLDEF, the significance of the UK market will be explained by the e-commerce experts visiting from the UK.” The 6th World E-Commerce Forum will be held in Istanbul Shangri-la Hotel on April 15, 2020. The E-commerce and e-export professionals will theme of the event will be “The UK e-commerce give numerous presentations on different topics market”. The forum will address the most current in the forum. Also this year, with special software topics in e-commerce for companies that seek to to be presented by WORLDEF, companies from increase their cross-border e-commerce capacity. overseas and leading Turkish retailers will be The UK e-commerce market will also be on the brought together and opportunities for possible agenda of e-commerce and e-export professioncooperation will be offered. In the forum, which als. will be an opportunity for participants to improve their e-export vision and business; Strategic inforThe forum’s executive coordinator institution mation will be provided to e-exporters, manufacis the Department for International Trade of UK turers, and businesses on issues such as UK’s eand the main business partner is İşbank. The commerce infrastructure, government incentives, organization is also supported by the Ministry e-export trends, and practical solutions. of Trade, the Ministry of Industry and Technol-
46 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
205x272_Turkish_British_Dergi_v2_2.pdf 1 17.03.2020 17:27:04
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
RD
CMY
K
in collaboration with
/ HABERLER
RD
3
of
0 2 0 2 JUNE
in collaboration with
www.tbmag.co.uk 47
HEALTH
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND OBESE PEOPLE FIRST TO TREAT OBESITY
OBESITY IS NOT AN “END”, IT IS THE BEGINNING! Surgery is the most preferred method in the treatment of obesity, and has been performed widely all over the world. Professor Yunus Yavuz M.D., a specialist on obesity and metabolic surgery, states that obesity is predominantly a psychological disorder and adds: “Surgery is not a magic wand that will solve all problems though. However, it is the beginning of a long journey.” Interview: Kevser Devecioğlu
T
he prevalence of obesity and the ratio of obese population continue to increase every year worldwide. When it comes to obesity, we all instantly think of people who consume a lot of food and are overweight. However, obesity and metabolic surgery specialist Yunus Yavuz M.D. at the American Hospital points out that obesity is a complex disease which cannot be explained simply as overindulging in food; it is a lifelong illness that often has a very serious psychological background to it, and adds: “In order to really treat an obese person in a permanent way, it is necessary to understand them first.” 48 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
“Patients should feel that someone is thinking about them” So how can a patient know that a doctor cares about them? Prof. Yunus Yavuz, M.D. explains this by giving us little hints. Dr. Yavuz, who has been practicing “Bariatric Surgery”, one of the most frequently used methods in the treatment of obesity, for 25 years, says: “Obesity is calculated according to one’s body mass index. Although the surgical methods used in its treatment are now known to everyone, but nobody contemplates how an obese person will sit down and get up”.
/ OBESITY SURGERY
lications today indicate that the incidence of psychological problems in this group is much more prevalent than in other patient groups.”
Obesity surgery is not a magic wand When Doctor Yavuz started working in a hospital setting, his first task was to turn the seats in the waiting room into a long colorful seat with no armrests, which ran along the wall. The patient chair in his office is also a very large one without armrests. It is for one person or for three people. It works either way… “These people have been sitting in those chairs for years, trying to squeeze themselves into a ‘normal’ chair, which is embarrassing.” The story of an obese person starts right from there.” says Dr. Yavuz, who keeps a giant examination table in his office with a steel frame that can withstand 400-500 kilograms of weight in order to make patients feel comfortable. The equipment he utilizes for examination, for example the blood pressure gauge, are also larger than normal. Equipment that have been chosen with the awareness that their bodies are larger, but are used without force or causing embarrassment. Dr. Yavuz points out that the careful selection of equipment and treatment of obese people also gives important clues to patients in choosing a hospital. Dr. Yavuz says “Everything starts from the seats in the waiting room. Patients should feel that someone cares about them. If you are take your job seriously, you should also pay attention to these details.”
Obesity occurs as a result of psychological traumas Expressing that obesity is predominantly a psychological disorder, Professor Yunus Yavuz M.D. says that “Eating to get rid of the emotional problems or eating for relaxation and social reasons causes obesity. There are many psychological disorders underlying this condition. You can uncover these by conducting an in-depth diagnostic work up. Otherwise everything is bound to seem normal. Scientific pub-
Obese patients usually decide to get treatment either upon advice of a relative or by being influenced by the ‘before and after surgery’ photos they see online. “The adventure begins with this decision.” says Dr. Yavuz and lists the questions that need to be answered are as follows: “Is what I am doing right? Have I chosen the right surgeon or hospital? Does this treatment method work for everyone?” Dr. Yavuz points out how patients tend to think of this procedure instead of finding answers the aforementioned questions: “I found the magic wand to solve all my problems in the world.” And he adds: “Imagine a person in the vortex. They cannot escape it while they keep getting heavier and becoming immobilized. The vortex pulls them down and the condition turns into a disease after reaching a certain weight. Surgery is a hand extended to take them out of the vortex. It’s just the beginning.”
Who is an “obese person”?
Body Mass Index (BMI) takes into account a person’s height and weight in order to determine obesity. Calculation is carried out by dividing the weight in kilograms by square of the height in meters. A person with a body mass index (body mass index) value above 30 is considered obese, and a person above 40 is considered morbid obese.
www.tbmag.co.uk 49
HEALTH Inquire about your doctor’s training in this field
Visit the Hospital Before Deciding What are the criteria in taking the helping hand to escape this vortex? Dr. Yavuz notes that people mostly search for options on the internet, but they should avoid making decisions on the basis of social media ads and photos amidst all the info pollution, and turn to accurate sources for proper information instead. As he explains that setting off on a lifelong journey after making wrong choices in terms of surgeon and hospital, Dr. Yavuz reminds us that patients are entitled to visit a hospital and request detailed information on the procedure. He recommends paying attention to ‘corporate identity’ prior to deciding on a radical change in their bodies: “When they step into a hospital, they should pay attention to all the little details from the arrangement of waiting room seats, examination table and locations of restrooms to the medical equipment used. Has everything been arranged and selected with care? They should ask themselves all kinds of questions. Can the patient beds be inclined/reclined? Can I comfortably lie down on this examination table? Are the radiology units large enough to accommodate me? Is there a tomography machine in which I can fit? Does this hospital have an intensive care unit? Are the relevant staff members properly trained for emergencies etc.?”
50 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Choosing your doctor is as important as choosing a hospital for a successful outcome. Noting that patients should inquire about their doctors in this process, Dr. Yavuz adds: “For example, if a doctor says that he has trained in America, patients should be able to ask ‘Can I see your board examination document? Could you please show me your certification to practice surgery in the USA?’”. They should be able to request to see such documents. It is important that the surgeon to perform this surgery has been specialized specifically in the field of obesity surgery. The doctor’s expertise on this subject, the background of the hospital on this matter gives important clues to the patient. Dr. Yavuz emphasizes that a doctor’s scientific publications, educational background and specific trainings can be checked in order to get an opinion about their level of expertise.
Not everyone can undergo surgery A patient who decides to undergo obesity surgery has to go through various tests and examinations to see if they are eligible for surgery after choosing their surgeon and hospital. “Obesity surgery cannot be performed on everybody. You have to meet the criteria set by the World Health Organization as well as by endocrinology.” Dr. Yavuz describes the process they follow when a patient presents to American Hospital or Koç University Hospital, where he performs his surgeries: “We have multidisciplinary a council concerning this topic; a team that consists of physicians, surgeons and coordinators from all departments such as endocrinology, dietetics and nutrition, psychology, psychiatry, gastroenterology and cardiology. Each case is evaluated by them in line with the WHO criteria. For instance, we check if the patient has a risky comorbidity. We conduct the Scl-90 Psychological Symptom Screening Test and run through psychological criteria. We get to know the patient better through these tests. There is a decision process that lasts about 10 days. At the end of this process, we decide whether the patient is eligible for surgery or not. In general, at least 20% of patients turn out to be ineligible.” Furthermore, well-structured diet-exercise programs and
/ OBESITY SURGERY
medical treatments must be attempted before proceeding with surgery. If these options fail, surgical intervention is considered, unless the patient suffers from severe psychological depression, substance abuse or any other severe condition. He emphasizes that surgery should not be performed without conducting a psychological evaluation first . “In the USA also, no clinic is allowed to perform obesity surgery without psychological evaluation.”
Lifelong postoperative follow-up Unless a complication has occurred following surgery, a patient may return to their routine office work within about a week. The follow-up process begins prior to surgery. First off, a nutrition specialist makes dietary preparations and trains the patient as well as their family members on diet on postoperative day one. The patient has to see the dietitian every time they visit for a follow-up afterwards. Usually, patients are discharged 3 days after surgery. They are requested to stay in İstanbul -the city where surgery takes place- for one week after the operation, so that they may be followed to address possible risks of complication. Once this first week has been left behind, they are required to visit for regular follow-ups scheduled for 3 months, 6 months and one year later, respectively. The interval between follow-up gradually increases the patient is eventually invited for 18-month and 24-month follow-ups. After 2 years, follow-ups become annual. “While the patient loses weight in one year, this does not mean that everything has come to a close.” says Dr. Yunus Yavuz, “In case of failure to follow these patients, they might end up not losing enough weight or start regaining weight and fail. The worst thing that can happen in the long run is a surgery in vain. This happens in cases that are not followed well. Patients tend to replace addictions with others. After all, overeating is also an addiction. They can become addicted to sweets, alcohol and shopping. In this process, it is necessary to choose, manage and follow well. Otherwise, failure will be inevitable.”
Instagram is not a reliable reference! Repeating once again that we should not consider obesity as a disease associated merely with weight problems, Dr. Yavuz points out that resolution of underlying psychological causes of overeating might result in the risk of is making a detour to the beginning and regaining weight. Selecting the right hospital and doctor -who can adequately follow a patient in the postoperative term- matter immensely when it comes to successfully concluding the process. Prof. Yunus Yavuz M.D. concludes with the following remarks: “Avoid making a choice without taking into consideration your doctor’s educational background, the hospital’s competence, how your condition is managed or how preoperative and postoperative processes are governed. By all means, avoid relying on Instagram as a reference point.”
We practice the same processes for international patients Obesity and metabolic surgery specialist Dr. Yavuz states that not only patients residing in Turkey but also international patients are admitted for surgery and follow-up to American Hospital and Koç University Hospital in İstanbul. As described above, international patients also go through a multidisciplinary council evaluation and psychological screening, and the decision on surgery is made in accordance with the World Health Organization’s criteria. They are duly informed about postoperative process and asked to stay in İstanbul for at least one week for the initial followup. Dr. Yavuz stresses once again that surgery does not conclude everything, but on the contrary, everything begins with it. He adds that they constantly stay in touch with patients, and preoperative as well as postoperative follow-up can be easily arranged through the offi ces to be launched abroad, particularly in the UK.
World Health Organization 2018 - 2019 world obesity ranking • Cook Islands: 83% • Qatar: 42% • UAE: 37% • Saudi Arabia: 34% • USA: 33% • Turkey: 29%
• Egypt: 28% • Australia: 28% • UK: 28% • Canada: 28% • Mexico: 28% • France: 23%
• Italy: 21% • Sweden: 20% • Germany: 20% • Brazil: 20% • Japan: 3%
Operating as part of Koç Healthcare Institutions, American Hospital, Koç University Hospital, MedAmerican Ambulatory Care Center and Bodrum American Hospital are world-class non-profi t hospitals that prioritize research and education. Our greatest advantage is our human resources of over 6.000 employees consisting of 1.135 physicians, 1.428 nurses and 3.484 administrative and supporting staff. In 2019, we treated approximately 580.000 patients at our healthcare institutions.
www.tbmag.co.uk 51
BUSINESS However, settling down in a new habitat comes with challenges such as learning the language, getting used to culture and being adapted to the law. Although, doing your homework on culture, law and socioeconomic factors of your host country, learning from others’ experiences and being familier with the language reduces the first shock, the only fact is that living abroad is different for everyone. Everyone has its own story of living out of their comfort zones.
A smooth transition to living abroad Living abroad is a dream of a great number of people. But starting a life out of comfort zone in another country is often not as easy as looks. Duygu Üstün offers a smooth transition to the life abroad with her ‘Adjust to Life Abroad’ coaching programme.
T
here is significant increase in the number of people moving abroad for varied reasons.There are many people and families who move out from their home country to a foreign country to start or grow their businesses, to provide better education for their children or to have a better quality life.
Inspired by her own story, “Adjust to life abroad” is created by Duygu Ustun who has moved to London with her family of three. Adjust to Life Abroad supports people who has moved or planning to move to a new habitat other than their home country. Duygu is helping expats to build a balanced life abroad that they can truly enjoy.
Adjust with the support of your identity! Duygu Ustun describes her programme as a tailor-made support that offers face-to-face or online one-on-one coaching, group workshops, community gethered by like-mindeds, and effective tools to make yourself at home in your host country. She says “It re-connects you with your unique, authentic and powerful identity by re-uniting you with your strengths, skills and values. It enables you to be more contented, more confident and more comfortable in what you do and who you are. Greater understanding of your true-self will help you maintain your focus and motivation, and create effective strategies built on your authentic identity. ‘Adjust to Life Abroad’ supports you in the process of making a smooth transition towards a more balanced life abroad and in taking part in the community you feel comfortable, accepted and supported.” Duygu Ustun is a transformational life coach - member of International Coach Federation UK Chapter-Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T) instructor; trained and certified by world-renowned institutions; Adler School of Professional Coaching, Erickson International Learning, Gordon Training International and Harvard Business School. She holds a degree in civil engineering with years of experience in international construction projects. She is the co-creator of Transformational Club - unique book club experience- that offers you the opportunity to make the change in your life through the process Read.Reflect.Transform. Take Action. For contact @transformational_ book_club
52 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
/ BUSINESS WOMEN NETWORK
Our relationship with food shapes our life Selin İstanbullu Özçağlı, who managed to beat Type 2 diabetes through her commitment method, is now supporting the participants of her #ChangeYourRelationshipWithFood group coaching program to establish a healthy relationship with food resulting a change in their lives.
S
elin “retired” herself from corporate hotelier life with many hotel openings around the world under her belt, and decided to settle in the UK to continue her professional career benefiting from her past corporate and personal experiences. Selin Istanbullu Ozcagli is the Company Director of Soan Consulting Ltd, which is an HR consultancy company specialized in full-scope Human Resources (HR), Organisational Development (OD) and Learning and Development (L&D) solutions for SMEs, Start-ups, and service industry (restaurants, hotels). Selin is also leading her Group Coaching Program #ChangeYourRelationshipWithFood that she created from her personal journey.
Change what you eat, change your life! Alumni of the Culinary Institute of America, world’s premier culinary arts education provider, Selin starting her professional career in the “kitchen” of luxury hotel sector, and progressed her career in various departments in luxury hotels around the world. A professional coach trained in Gestalt methodology as well as Jungian principles, working with people on all matters in personal and professional life, Selin acquainted herself with commit-
ment coaching while trying to beat her Type 2 diabetes through her own commitment method. While Selin is steadily growing her company’s professional client portfolio in the UK, she is becoming known for her program “How I Changed My Relationship With Food, and How My Life Changed”. Selin elaborates on her 3-month online group coaching program with weekly virtual group coaching sessions and daily engagements, assignments, practices: “it is a coaching program for 3 months aiming for awareness around relationship with food and behaviour change resulting in a healthier relationship with food. A culinary program to empower the participants to be more confident and courageous in their kitchen, practicing intuitive cooking and intuitive eating.”
Losing weight is not the purpose, it is being healthy! “All participants know that the program is not a diet club or a weight management group”, Selin explains “the aim is to stay in the course and have behavioural change that is sustainable. Changing our relationships with food to a healthier and happier one, beyond the dieting and body shaming culture” she continues. Selin’s next online group will be starting on 1 April 2020. Selin is also starting her first “live” program on September 1st in London. The lucky participants will gather once a week for a “healthy delicious” workshop., For more information; follow #ChangeYourRelationshipWithFood and Instagram accounts @soancoaching and @ selinshealthydelicious . www.tbmag.co.uk 53
CITY AND LIFE
A colorful road from Harran to London Painter Kübra Müjde, who continues her art journey from Harran in Istanbul and later in London, opens consecutive personal exhibitions, organizes art workshops, organizes “Night at the Museum” tours in England, which increases his productivity.
P
ainter Kübra Müjde completed her art education at Harran University and her master’s degree at Bolu Abant izzet Baysal University, settled in Istanbul and started her PhD. He gave art, design, sculpture, digital media and cartoon animation trainings to children aged 4-18 from kindergarten to high school classes in private educational institutions in Istanbul. The famous names including Cem Yılmaz, Feridun Düzağaç and Gani Müjde were hosted in children’s workshops. He volunteered as an art instructor in summer schools organized by Gündüz Vassaf on behalf of Nazım Hikmet, in Nesin Mathematics and Art Village established under Aziz Nesin’s name. Apart from his artistic works, Kübra Müjde, who came to Europe and visited museums, decided to move to London. 54 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
/ AFTERNOON TEA
“I came with 20 artworks wrapped in a suitcase and carpet roll. I was incredibly excited but I wasn’t stressed, ”said Kübra Müjde, who set up the “ Qbicart ” company with the trail of the Cubism movement based on her own name and style . Afterwards, Kübra Müjde explains what he did: “We started periodic art works in a workshop model that I designed by meeting with only Turks and then with the children of all nationalities. Then I opened my first solo exhibition in London at Canary Wharf. ” Kübra Müjde conducts private and group work with adults as well as children. “I owe a lot to them in my UK career,” said Müjde, who stated that he was very interested as an art educator especially for Turkish-speaking children. The art classes that Müjde created for children in Richmond and Wimbledon regularly organize museum-visiting activities with children and spend a long time with them in the museum. Every Friday evening, it organizes a “Night at the Museum” tour and workshop. The new museum workshops will be held at Tate Modern on 13 March and at the National Museum on 27 March.
Apart from museum events and art education, Kübra Müjde opened two personal exhibitions with increased productivity in England and participated in two mixed exhibitions with her works. Her works, which she prepared with the theme of “What l want”, that is, “What I want”, were exhibited in a group exhibition of women artists at the Gallery of Oxford Brookes University. Kübra Müjde’s solo exhibition “Exist” will be opened in Newcastle on June 6th. “All my goal, purpose and determination; To meet not only with the children of Turkish society but also with all the nationality, color, culture and children living on the world. I want to archive these works, ”says Kübra Müjde, explaining her future plans as follows:“ When I provide the necessary space and opportunity, it is my biggest dream and plan to establish a Multicultural Child and Art Museum permanently with this archive . I am open to all new ideas, suggestions and support in this matter. ” www.tbmag.co.uk 55
CITY AND LIFE
Göbeklitepe: Zero Point in Time The most valuable heritage of Şanlıurfa, which shook the world with its discovery, is known as the first temple of the world with its 12 thousand years of history. It is believed that Göbeklitepe was built by hunter gatherers before human settlements. But Göbeklitepe has more to unravel. Can the archeology world solve its mystery? Selcen Çiftlikçi
10000 BC
Göbeklitepe was built
T
he discovery of Göbeklitepe, literally meaning the pot belly hill, has changed the course of history as we know it. Dating back to 10.000 BC and predating the world famous Stonehenge by 7000 and the Pyramid of Giza by 7500 years, this group of carved stones is now the oldest known man-made structure with no clear purpose identified. 3500 BC
3000 BC
2550 BC
The Sumerian StonehengePyramid of Giza invention of was built was built writing
0
2020
The birth of Jesus Christ
Now
Located on top of a hill in Şanlıurfa city on the Southeast of Turkey, this sacred site is thought to be the cradle of the gods, where early human beings were likely organizing festive events with 56 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
music and choreographed shows, worshipping what they believed as creator(s). The archaelogical findings suggest that the site was not used as a place of inhabitant at first, rather used as a meeting spot for the last hunter gatherer groups for such rituals.
/ JOURNEY TO HISTORY
The world was shaken to its core with the unearthing of Göberklitepe, as the famous Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari suggests, because it challenged our knowledge on the prehistoric humankind. Before Göbeklitepe’s discovery, historians believed that human settlements and the shift to agriculture came before the birth of religious & spiritual ideas, and that religion was used as a tool to organize and control masses at the prehistoric ages. However, Göbeklitepe revealed that the site was used by hunter gatherer groups on seasonal frequency and later on houses were built surrounding Göbeklitepe’s worshipping areas as the last hunter gathered groups started settling and took up farming. This is a game changing discovery given the fact that we, as modern humans, tend to look down on our prehistoric counterparts for their simplicity. Göbeklitepe rewrote the history books and left us all in awe by shattering the belief that religion came after human settlements and by revealing the complexity of life 12.000 years ago. However, what we know so far on Göbeklitepe is limited and there are still many secrets to unravel. The excavations started in 1995 led by the German archaelogist Prof. Klaus Schmidt in support of the German Archaeological Institute and Şanlıurfa Museum, and have been taking place every summer ever since although the harsh weather conditions at the region make it extemely difficult for researchers.
The archaelogical findings so far suggest that Göbeklitepe site is designed with two types of structures: circular and rectengular. While the circular structures are identified as worship points, rectengular structures show evidence of settlement at later stages of time. There are 20 circular structures with nearly 200 T shaped obelisks made of flintstones and chalkstones. 5 of these circular structures were unearthed so far and were titled as A, B, C, D and H. Each of the obelisks found in these circular structures are 3 to 7 metres tall and 40 to 60 tonnes, and they have various motives and figures inscribed on them. These obelisks are thought to represent humans as some of them have arm and hand motives. Each circular structure concentrates on a type of animal figure inscriptions on the obelisks such as A is notated with snakes, B with foxes, C with wild boars, D with various types of birds and vultures, and H with lions. These animal figures are all portrayed as male figures. Many other types of wild animal and plant fossils were discovered among the ruins, strenghtening the existence of hunter gatherers on site.
www.tbmag.co.uk 57
CITY AND LIFE If you are interested in visiting Göbeklitepe this year, read on to plan your trip.
When is the best time to visit Göbeklitepe? The best time to visit Göbeklitepe is in the Spring season such as April, May, early June, and in the Fall season such as September or early October. The extreme heat in late June, July and especially August makes it hard to travel in the region.
How can I get there?
Another mystery is the building process of this massive site. Back then, animals were not domesticated. Which means it is humans themselves who carried these colossal stones up on the hill where Göbeklitepe is situated. The nearest stone pit where the obelisks were carved with sharp and spiky granit stones is 500 meters away, with the nearest water resource found at 4 kilometers away. The researchers believe that a type of lever system was used to mount the carved obelisks up on the hill. At this point, you may stop and ask yourself the following question: but why? That’s the biggest mystery of all that Göbeklitepe poses at us. As of now, we do not know what motivated our nomadic ancestors to bear such difficulty to build this sacred site, and the chances are we may never know. It is exciting to imagine, nevertheless. Göbeklitepe is inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage List, a list of protected areas for their immense value to all humanity. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism designated 2019 as the year of Göbeklitepe, in an effort to motivate travelers from all around the world to visit this holy land, which contributed to its fame and attracted over 413.000 visitors in 2019.
58 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
If you hold an international driving licence, renting a car would be the fastest route to get there under 30 minutes from Şanlıurfa city center. If you prefer to get there by public transportation, the bus number 100 runs from the city center (Abide bus stop) to the site. The exact timetable changes according to the season however in general the buses set off from the city center on 10.00 am, 13.00 pm, and 16.00 pm. Return buses are scheduled at 12.00 pm, 15.00 pm, and 18.00 pm.
Some books to read for more information? Several books were published on Göbeklitepe, most notable of which include Göbeklitepe: Genesis of Gods by Andrew Collins, Göbeklitepe by Karl W. Lucwert, and Göbeklitepe: The First Temple by Klaus Schmidt. Reading these books can help you wrap your mind around Göbeklitepe’s magic before your visit.
Is it safe to go to Göbeklitepe as it is close to the Syrian border? It is perfectly safe to visit Göbeklitepe. The site is 75 kilometers away from the border and the officials are taking precautions to create the utmost security for visitors at all times.
Nearby sites I should visit? Şanlıurfa city is home to many other natural, cultural, and archaeological assets worth visiting. While planning your trip, be sure to check out the Şanlıurfa museum that is home to many of the findings of Göbeklitepe excavations. Haleplibahçe
Paradise Row mosaic museum is another site to drop by if you are fascinated by depictions of Roman life with tiny, colored stones. Şanlıurfa castle offers a beautiful view of the city at night, while Balıklıgöl, a sacred pond with fishes, has tales waiting to be heard. Other nearby sites to discover includes Halfeti and Harran. Located on the East of the river Euprhrates, Halfeti is a district famous for its sunken village named Savaşan. In 1990, this tiny village of a bunch of stone houses and a mosque was submerged with the construction of a dam. You can take a boat trip on the Euphrates River floating over the sunken mosque’s rooftop while photographing the desolate houses on the bay. Halfeti is also famous for its black rose that only grows in this region. Harran, on the other hand, was once a major city in Upper Mesopotamia. Its history is dated back to the 2000 BC. The site is famous for its architecture. Lines of conical domed houses adorn the skyline of Harran, creating a feast for the eyes.
Wenlock Road Old Street N1, London
There is an accountancy firm in the floor below who are offering a free consultation and start up packages We want freelancers/ businesses to feel supported and have it as an incubator for creative businesses It is a 7 to 10 minute walk from either Old Street Tube Station or Angel Tube Station
There will be a meeting room/private enclosed space with a booking system and storage space for products.
£250 per moth per desk including all bills
(Fast Internet, Electricity, Heating, Council Tax, Service charge …)
Our personal property advisor will manage your entire search for free https://hubblehq.com/office-space/6600/wenlock-road
+44 20 3868 6470
www.tbmag.co.uk 59
CITY AND LIFE
Timeless beauty in the Avon Valley; “BATH” With its Roman baths located in the south west of England, Bath, which can be defined as a hot springs city, is among the must-visit cities in Britain m with its centuries-old historical buildings, lush nature, happy people making music at every corner . Cazibe Sammalı
T
he city of Bath and the lush green areas surrounding it are described as one of England’s most beautiful places to visit. Located in the south west of England, Bath is one of the cities that must be visited in England with its hot springs, Roman baths, houses bearing the effects of magnificent Georgian architecture, regular streets, colorful gardens and impressive Stonehenge. The city of Bath, which can be easily visited on foot, offers visitors the opportunity to have a very pleasant trip with its various restaurants, theaters, bars. In the city, where Roman spas and Georgian houses are concentrated, you can feel yourself hundreds of years ago in the buildings that the history of the city has erased. The city, which was established as a spa by the Romans, who reigned for 400 years in the region, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
60 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Roman Baths The historical Turkish bath complex, opened in 1897, was designed by famous architects such as John Wood, the Elder, John Wood, the Younger . The Holy Spring consists of 4 different sections with the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House and the Roman Bath Museum, where historical ruins are exhibited. Original and wax sculptures are also on display in the museum. The complex, which receives more than 1 million visitors every year, has created pools of geothermal waters that are thousands of meters below the ground. However, it is not allowed to enter these pools. Visiting Roman Baths, founded by the Romans nearly two thousand years ago, is the first and most important of the activities in the city of Bath. The King’s Bath section, built in the 12th century, sprays 1,170,000 liters of hot spring water from bottom to top at a temperature of 46 degrees every day. When you enter Roman Baths, we first encounter a place like a terrace. This place was built in 1897. The pool that appears here is the place called “Great Bath”. The person who does not see this place is already affected. There are nine sculptures around the place like a terrace. These are sculptures of the emperors and Romans’ governors who served in Britain in some way. You can also see the place called King’s Bath and the bubbling spring water. On the other side of the Roman Baths, there is a section where hot water comes out and the pool where people throw money and wish. Again, there is a natural and hot spring water that visitors can drink near here. The waters coming from the spring called Sacred Spring (Sacred Spring) have a temperature of 46 degrees. It is gathered in a central pool
/ ATTRACTIVE ROUTES
surrounded by columns. You can be affected by its size and technical equipment when you walk around the pool, which is shaped over time. The beautiful bath, built for pleasure and relaxation, has been a health center since Roman times. The waters are home to the only natural thermal spas that can be washed both in ancient Roman Baths and in the UK. Bath Abbey: It is a church built in 1499 on the ruins of an old Norman Cathedral. The current church was the third church built on its location. There are various marble slabs on the walls and floor in Bath Abbey. In addition to those made for members of the church community, there are war memorials and other important figures on these plates. Picture windows of the church are also worth seeing. Bath Abbey is also important as the place where the dressing ceremony of King Edgar, the first king of England, was held in 973. Pulteney Bridge: The historical bridge, the construction of which was started in 1769, was opened to service in 1774. The iconic building designed by architect Robert Adam is built on the Avon River. The bridge, which is 45 meters long and 18 meters wide, has opposite shops from the beginning to the end. The bridge, which is among the symbols of Bath, has become one of the key attractions of the city.
Jane Austen House: You can visit the Jane Austen Center to discover the life of Britain’s favorite writer. Exhibitions and costumed characters tell the story of Austen’s time in Bath between 1801 and 1806, and the impact on his work. Circus: The building is one of the most valuable examples of Georgian architecture, a two-minute walk from the Royal Crescent, in the boundaries of Somerset district of Bath. The Circus, designed by famous architect John Wood and built between 1754 and 1768, is a circular structure consisting of 3 equal parts. The charming building, which has 3 gates facing each other, has a length of 200 meters. Circus, designed by old John Wood and completed by his son in 1754, also has three streets. The friezes in the houses have 528 different carvings representing Art and Science. The masterpiece designed by master architect John Wood is considered his most important work. In this structure, the inspiration for John Wood was the ‘Colosseum’ structure left from Ancient Rome, located in the capital of Italy, Rome.
www.tbmag.co.uk 61
CITY AND LIFE
The top things to do in Notting Hill Notting Hill is one of those areas that you can easily spend a few hours without even noticing time. Whether you wander around just to explore or shopping and meeting with friends, you’ll have lots of good options to enjoy.
acemilondoner www.acemilondoner.com
Portobello Road Market Set on one of the loveliest streets of London, Portobello Road Market is an open-air market that you can find delish food, antiques and preloved second hand items. It’s open from Monday to Saturday, but I highly suggest you visit the market early in the day before it gets crowded. As scrolling through the shops on Portobello Road, it’s possible to come across all kinds of second hand items with reasonable prices.
62 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
Colourful Houses The most iconic look of Notting Hill is its colourful houses. There’re a few well known streets which are full of colourful houses, with a whole row of vivid coloured houses, Lancaster Road comes first. If you’re more into viewing pastel coloured houses, Farm Place and the Chalcot Square on the Primrose Hill are the streets to head.
Food and Drink Notting Hill has plenty to offer when it comes to good food places. With modern Greek tavern style Mazi, Hereford Road for traditional British food, known as one of the best Lebanese Al Waha, Ottolenghi with high quality buffet, Farm Girl with rose latte are the places to have a good food experience.
/ ART AND CULTURE
Coffee’s journey was exhibited
From Istanbul to Oxford; The Origins of Coffee Drinking in England
The exhibition FROM ISTANBUL TO OXFORD, organized by the Ashmolean Museum, illustrated the fascinating and complex relationship between the two powers at that time, along with the journey of coffee’s, which is now an integral part of everyday life in England.
T
he story of the arrival of coffee from Istanbul to Oxford for the first time in Istanbul and afterwards became the subject of the exhibition ‘From Istanbul to Oxford’ at the Ashmolean Museum. “FROM ISTANBUL TO OXFORD The Origins of Coffee Drinking in England” exhibition explored how coffee and connected trappings first introduced to Britain from the Ottoman empire, and how they were perceived, adopted and changed. The exhibition, which analyzed the origin, production, the pleasant feelings and the journey between geographies of coffee as a beverage, also revealed the importance and effects of coffee in social life. The first coffee house in England opened in Oxford in 1651, but the story of coffee began many years earlier in the Ottoman Empire. Coffee, which is an integral part of daily life in Britain today, was described as a purely Turkish activity when it first came across the English in the 17th
century. Demonstrating the fascinating and complex relationship between the two powers at the time, the exhibition conveyed how coffee came to England, exploring both Ottoman coffee objects and English adaptations. It is not a coincidence that the exhibition, which continued until March 15, 2020 at the Ashmolean Museum, the world’s first university museum in Oxford, is actually held in Oxford. Oxford, the first stop of the coffee drinking habit spread from the Ottoman Empire to Europe, also has the oldest coffeehouse. Coffee came to Oxford around 1637, when a Greek priest named Nathaniel Conopius, was first recorded drinking it here. British traders, who have been operating in the Ottoman lands since the 16th century, have tried coffee and drinking in Istanbul coffeehouses, which is also the center of a social life, and brought it to Britain. A traveler named George Sanys made his note about Istanbul coffee shops in his notebook in 1610; “… They sit all day and drink the black, dark painful thing they call this Caffa in small porcelain containers by burning their mouths.” These first coffeehouses, which were opened in the 1650s, offered coffee according to Turkish style. They used the portraits of the Ottoman sultans and the name ‘Turk Caffa’, pointing to the place where the coffee came from, as the symbol of the coffeehouses. In the 17th century, coffee shops and the habit of drinking coffee became so widespread that it had existed until the coffee houses in Oxford and London created their own illegal coins called “tokens”. The “coffee house”, which has been operating since 1654 and is the oldest in Europe with this feature, is located in Oxford and still continues to serve Turkish coffee in traditional style.
www.tbmag.co.uk 63
AGENDA
Nazım Hikmet in Southbank Center’s selection of 50 greatest love poems list Southbank Center, one of the major art centers in London, has chosen the biggest international love poems of the last 50 years, including the Turkish poet Nazım Hikmet’s “Severmişim Meğer” -Things I Didn’t Know I Loved-
T
he selectors – who are made up of poetry specialists at the Southbank Center – reviewed works that have been published in the last 50 years. The poetry team at the center has been working on the list for the past year to produce “a truly international and stylistically diverse selection of what we see as the best 50 love poems of the past 50 years, from young poets to world greats,” said James Runcie, head of literature and spoken word at the Southbank Center. “It was tough restricting ourselves to just 50 poems, but I think we’ve come up with a wonderfully rich and varied selection, offering some of the world’s greatest love poems,” Runcie added. On July 20, the poems will be read at an event held at the Southbank Center’s Royal Festival Hall. A cast of 50 leading actors and poets from across the globe will form an orchestra of readers, each reading one of the greatest love poems from the last 50 years. There will be read-
64 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
ings in various languages, including Turkish, with English translations. Readers include Harriet Walter, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Ray Fearon, Don Paterson, Alice OrrEwing, Guy Paul, Imtiaz Dharker, Hubert Burton, Sasha Dugdale, Rachel Shelly, Sujata Bhatt, Emily Bruni, Patsy Ferran, Nikola Madzirov, Siobhan Redmond, Warsan Shire, Chipo Chung, Noma Dumezweni, Amjad Nasser, Claire Rafferty, Sabrina Mahfouz, Neet Mohan, Kutti Revathi, Sudha Bhuchar, Katharine Kilalea, Daniel Weyman, Ashjan al-Hendi, Jessica Murrain, Chris McCabe, Branka Katic, Tom Wentworth, Katherine Kingsley and Philip Cowell.
Things I Didn’t Know I Loved it’s 1962 March 28th I’m sitting by the window on the Prague-Berlin train night is falling I never knew i liked night descending like a tired bird on a smoky wet plain I don’t like comparing nightfall to a tired bird I didn’t know I loved the earth can someone who hasn’t worked the earth love it I’ve never worked the earth it must be my only platonic love and here I’ve loved rivers all this time ...
/ ART AND CULTURE
How do we tackle the misconceptions of spirituality? Nevşah Fidan Karamehmet launched her new book Awakening in London. ‘Awakening: This is not what you think!’ in her lastest book, Nevşah tackles the misconceptions of spirituality.
N
A special online film selection by the Istanbul Biennial
O
rganised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) since 1987, the Istanbul Biennial, in collaboration with the artists participated in the previous editions, is opening two artist films to online access every Friday in weekly periods as of 3 April. More than thirty films will be made temporarily public on Istanbul Biennial’s website and İKSV’s Vimeo account for everyone to enjoy in times of social isolation necessitated by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The online selection kicks off with two special films: the 13th Istanbul Biennial artist Basim Magdy’s 13 Essential Rules for Understanding the World and the 15th Istanbul Biennial artist Volkan Aslan’s Home Sweet Home are available to stream between 3 and 10 April. The artists who will take part in the online selection with their films in the coming weeks are Halil Altındere, Francis Alÿs, Volkan Aslan, Ozan Atalan, Alper Aydın, Rossella Biscotti, Kristina Buch, Vajiko Chachkhiani, Jonathas de Andrade, Elmas Deniz, Jonah Freeman & Justin Lowe, Jorge Galindo & Santiago Sierra, Theaster Gates, Suzanne Husky, Pierre Huyghe, Emre Hüner, Rashid Johnson, Georgie Nettell, Armin Linke, Maider López, Basim Magdy, Melvin Moti, Erkan Özgen, Zeyno Pekünlü, Cheng Ran, Mika Rottenberg, Pelin Tan and Anton Vidokle, Kaari Upson, Adrián Villar Rojas and Phillip Zach. Istanbul Biennial believes that today, art can find an even greater outreach, and imagination is incredibly vast to be defined by physical boundaries. The project was born out of this commitment to celebrate art in all its forms. The 16th edition of the Istanbul Biennial was held with the title The Seventh Continent between 14 September and 10 November 2019 under the sponsorship of Koç Holding.
evşah is a respected global teacher that has impacted over 100,000 individuals through her workshops, talks and training and is an expert in Breathing and Behavioral Sciences with a 20-year track record of unrivalled expertise. In this book, she explores the subject of the many misconceptions surrounding spirituality and what Awakening actually is. With this book, Nevşah hopes to expand the readers’ consciousness and provide tools on how to live an extraordinary life by staying awake and connected. It is all about remembering who they are, connecting with the truth and going beyond what they know to create an amazing life journey for themselves. “There are a lot of misconceptions about Awakening which is one of the reasons I wrote the book,” explains Nevşah. “ I have come to a realisation that Awakening is not what people think it is. People think awakening is some spiritual experience where you get filled with love and light. But actually, those kinds of experiences are there because of some chemical shift in the body, they are not even real.” The book is available to buy at Amazon, Waterstones and Foyles.
www.tbmag.co.uk 65
Professional translation and language services
ak Irm kul Can
Ares Translation Specialising in the Turkish/English language pair, ARES T&C LTD provides premium translation & interpretation services in multiple languages by adopting a 360° service principle
Consultancy Services Language Services
provide translation and “ We consultancy services for your commercial activities and personal needs in the UK
”
ARES T&C LTD Flawless and affordable solutions with 100 % customer satisfaction... Your language Solution "Always online alway on time" Partner... +44 20 8704 1304 /+44 7500 668 914
info@arestnc.com
www.arestnc.com
TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT
tailor made support from experienced advisors Call us for financial advice on services below and more: •
FINANCIAL ADVISORY
•
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT
•
PROFIT & COST IMPROVEMENT
•
FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS SUPPORT
Freelance Literary Translator, Sworn German English Turkish Translator, Editor, Proofreader e-mail: rmakcankul@gmail.com Phone: +90 539 262 56 81
Istanbul
London
We’re a multi-faceted boutique ad agency, operating in Turkey and the UK Our creative portfolio is worth boasting about. Digital Marketing Advertising, Design Communication, PR Consultancy services Tailored research and marketing services for companies wishing to enter Turkey and the UK market.
Rain Management Consultancy Limited www.rainconsult.com +44 0777 123 1422
66 Turkish British Magazine I March April 2020
COMMUNICATION afscomms.com
afisiletisim.net
www.bowlinglaw.co.uk
A Client Focused Firm / Sizin İçin Buradayız Our Practice Areas:
Corporate Law
Commercial Property
Residential Property
Private Client
Dispute Resolution
Family and Children
For further information please do not hesitate to contact one of our Turkish speaking legal advisors: Huseyin E. Huseyin Senior Partner
e huseyin.huseyin@bowlinglaw.co.uk t 020 8221 8074
Huseyin Youssouf
Partner, Commercial Property
e huseyin.youssouf@bowlinglaw.co.uk t 020 8221 8055
Gunduz Misiri
Ayla Zengin
e gunduz.misiri@bowlinglaw.co.uk t 020 8221 8041
e ayla.zengin@bowlinglaw.co.uk t 020 8221 8000
Omer Kahraman
Cemre Koroglu
Associate Solicitor, Residential & Commercial Property
Assistant Solicitor, Residential & Commercial Property
e omer.kahraman@bowlinglaw.co.uk t 020 8221 8037
Consultant Solicitor, Residential & Commercial Property
Corporate Lawyer (Turkish Qualified)
e cemre.koroglu@bowlinglaw.co.uk t 020 8221 8057
Bowling & Co Solicitors are Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. SRA number 70024. 62 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 1NG Telephone 020 8221 8000 www.bowlinglaw.co.uk