TURKEY
Business/social hints
Appointments: should be made in advance. Punctuality is appreciated.
Attire for business meetings: men should wear a suit and tie, women a two-piece suit or equivalent and hosiery.
Etiquette: it is customary to shake hands on meeting and taking leave. Business cards are exchanged after introduction.
Language: business is conducted in Turkish. Many executives speak a second language, eg English or French.
Laws: smoking is generally accepted but restricted in public areas, ie on public transport. The minimum drinking age is 18 years.
Invitations: dress as for business. Punctuality is appreciated.
Local time: GMT +3 (from Oct 25 to March 27) GMT +2.
Capital:Ankara.
Language:Turkish, French, English, German.
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: 90.
Driving:on the left. national licence or international driving permit required.
Currency: Turkish Lira (TRL)
Notes: TRL: 5,0000, 10,0000, 25,0000, 50,0000, 10,00000, 500,0000
Coins:TRL: 5,000, 10,000, 25,000, 50,000
Business hours
Banks: 8.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm Monday-Friday.
Offices: 8.30am-12pm and 1pm-5.30pm Monday-Friday.
Shops: 9am-1pm and 2pm-7pm Monday-Saturday.
Emergency Services
Police: 155
Ambulance: 112
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: none
Weather
The interior of the country has low rainfall and cold winters and warm to hot summers. Winter rainfall usually falls as snow especially towards the east where it may lie for three to four months. The coastal areas have much milder winters with warm summers. The Black Sea coast is a little colder in winter than the south and west coasts and has some rain throughout the year.
Istanbul Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max Min am pm (mm)
January 8 3 82 74 109
February 8 3 82 71 92
March 11 4 80 65 72
April 16 7 81 62 46
May 20 12 82 65 38
June 25 16 78 57 34
July 32 18 78 58 34
August 27 19 79 55 30
September 25 16 80 59 58
October 19 12 82 64 81
November 15 9 82 71 103
December 11 5 82 74 120
Istanbul Ataturk
International IST
Postal address: Ataturk International Airport (DHMI), Istanbul – Yesilkoy 34830.
Telephone: +90 212-6763 62 62 or 212-663 64 00 ext 1111.
Fax: +90 212-663 62 50.
Location: 15mls/24kms southwest of Istanbul.
Transportation to city centre: airport bus: HAVAS operates 6am-11pm every 60mins, fare US$3, journey time 30-50mins. Bus: service 96 operates 7am-7.40pm every 55mins, fare TRL 15,000, journey time 30-60 mins. Taxi: fare US$15-20, journey time 30-50mins
Flight information: tel 212-663 64 00 ext 2540/1, available 24hrs.
Business facilities: tel 212-663 64 00 ext 1225, available on request. Conference hall (max 200 person) in international terminal.
Passport and visas
Required.
Customs
Import allowances: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grammes of tobacco and 200 cigarette papers, or 50 grammes of chewing tobacco, or 200 grammes of pipe tobacco or 200 grammes of snuff. Five bottles of wine or spirits. Gifts to the value of DEM 500.