Turkey’s growing automotive sector is the subject of a special event aimed at manufacturers and distributors in the Midlands. The B2B matchmaking event is being organised by Enterprise Europe Network at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce on 7 June, and will see local firms meeting face-to-face with a group of leading Turkish vehicle component suppliers.

Each of the Turkish firms is looking to build partnerships and relationships with firms in the West Midlands. Among them is Gaysan Istanbul, which currently makes gas springs and dampers. The firm is looking for local manufacturers to help it develop the production of shock absorbers, and also distributors to help market its products.

Sunny Claire, a business advisor in the Chamber’s international team, said that Turkey was investing heavily in its automotive sector, particularly commercial vehicles.

“This a great opportunity for local companies to become involved with a fast growing market,” he said. “As well as investing heavily in developing this sector, if Turkey joins the EU in the near future that is bound to create further opportunities in this field.”

As well as the Chamber event, which is being at Chamber House, Edgbaston, the Turkish delegation will be visiting local businesses linked with the automotive sector, including Jaguar Land Rover.

They will also be attending Automechanika Birmingham, which takes place between 7-9 June, and will be the first of its kind in the UK.

The event will showcase the latest developments in the automotive supply chains and aftermarkets, and it is hoped to attract more than 10,000 visitors.

The event will feature more than 550 exhibitors from 30 countries, and will see more than 60 seminars taking place during the two days.

Automechanika Birmingham is being backed by region’s six Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), who are hoping it will help attract more investment to the region, and by Marketing Birmingham’s Drive West Midlands programme. Drive West Midlands was launched in 2015 to promote the region’s automotive sector.