Turkey is offering to be a trade gateway for Britain into the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkan states, with its economy minister saying that Brexit offers a rare opportunity to build a new economic partnership.

Nihat Zeybekci claimed that construction projects worth billions of dollars were up for grabs in the region and that negotiations to sign a free trade deal directly after Brexit in 2021 were progressing well.

He said that he was happy when he heard the Brexit referendum result.

“I fully respect the decision of the British people — if it was going to be no Brexit I cannot say anything — but as minister for the economy, Brexit is going to create opportunities for Turkey and the UK. After