TURKISH ECONOMY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 285, 29 August 1941, Page 7

TURKISH ECONOMY

Nazi Bid For Dominance Fails INCREASING TRADE WITH BRITAIN (British Official Wireless.) (Received August 28, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, August 27. The latest authoritative information about Anglo-Turkish trade indicates that Britain has definitely replaced Germany as Turkey’s most important trade partner. The Germans, of course, have been making stern efforts to further their trade with Turkey. and by economic penetration to influence that country as they did in the Balkans, but in this case they have failed. During the first year of the war Germany supplied Turkey with 10,300 tons of goods, representing by value 11.7 per cent, of Turkey’s total imports, whereas Britain sent 20,600 tons, by value 14 per cent. During the five months January to May, 1941, Germany sent 6SOO tons, valued at 14 per cent, of the value of Turkey’s imports, while Britain sent 18,000 tons valued at 21 per cent. The British Government is very much alive to the importance of furthering Anglo-Turkish trade, and, in spite of transport difficulties, is steadily delivering goods and giving high priority in shipping and supply to Turkey’s essential requirements. Not only is Britain exporting goods—machinery, locomotives, war materials, and general cargo—to Turkey, but'she is also assisting in shipment of essential goods, such as oil, from other parts of -the world to meet Turkish requirements. Britain is also buying in ever-increasing quantity Turkish products, olive oil, mohair and oil seeds, including many articles which would be of great value to the enemy. Anglo-American co-operation is also playing an increasing part in furthering Turkey’s trade collaboration with the democracies. All Turkey’s rubber and motor tyres now come from Allied or American sources, as well as her hides, petrol, tin, copper and sulphates. All Turkish chrome is now taken by the United States.

Since the German attack on Russia Turkey’s oil from Rumania has been interrupted and the democracies have been responsible for supplying Turkish requirements. Much of this trade is carried on in Turkish ships, of which good numbers continue to sail to Egypt in spite of Italian attempts to sink them.

Britain views with equanimity the continuance of certain exchanges between Turkey and Axis-occupied countries, as it is uneconomic for Britain to supply certain goods essential to the maintenance of Turkish economy, which is th© objective of British policy toward Turkey.