Turkish businesspeople are increasing their presence in the Baltic States owing to the closing of the Russian market, the Estonian daily Eesti Paevaleht says, cites LETA/BNS.

At the beginning of the week a Turkish business delegation visited Estonia. "We're trying to convince Turks that Estonia is the ideal place where to set up the headquarters of one's company and from where in turn to expand the network to Scandinavia, other Baltic countries and even Germany," chairman of the Turkey-Estonia Business Council Galib Ilter told the paper.

The sanctions imposed on Turkey by Russia have made entrepreneurs search for other options. Ilter said the Baltic countries are a good alternative.

In his words, developing trade relations between the two countries is difficult. The main problem is little awareness. It is believed in Estonia that Turkey is far away, too big and too different, while Turkish entrepreneurs say Estonia is too small to waste time and money on.

Another member of the delegation, lawyer Turgay Kuleli, has undertaken as his mission to present Estonia to Turkish businessmen as a place where they could establish their companies. He sees that Estonia has positioned itself as the region's information and communication technology center. "There are in Turkey many people but few ideas. Here in Estonia it's the other way around. You have lots of start-ups cropping up. Now the two sides should be brought together. Both would stand to benefit. Joint ventures should be set up," he said.

An important issue is the visa regime between Turkey and the European Union. Turkey is not willing to meet all demands of the EU. However, members of the delegation hope and believe that visa freedom will arrive in October of this year at the latest.

The visa issue is of particular importance to businesspeople but essential also from a tourist's point of view, members of the delegation said. In their words, Estonia is certainly a unique and sufficiently interesting country to attract more than 11,000 Turkish tourists who visit it these days.