The specialists at RAAD International are well versed in the area of administration and financial advice for fruit and vegetable companies. International companies that enter the European fruit and vegetable market, and vice versa, are fully supported fiscally, legally, and administratively. This Dutch company is, thus, a household name within the world of fruit and vegetable administration.
A view from RAAD's office in Istanbul, Turkey
Through the years, this consulting firm has advised plenty of Turkish fruit and vegetable producers and exporters about investments, entering into partnerships, and setting up commercial activities. This year, RAAD opened an international office in Istanbul. Recently, they hired a fourth accountant to serve international clientele from that Turkish city.
RAAD Istanbul
"This is working extremely well. It's a huge struggle to get staff in the Netherlands. In Turkey, though, there are still enough well-educated people," John van Wijk explains enthusiastically.
"They enjoy working in an international market. Our Turkish colleagues have all worked for the larger accountancy firms and are now serving our international clients from Istanbul."
"What's more, the location, between Europe and the Middle East, is geographically very favorable. Or, as our Turkish colleagues say, ''Türkiye is the center of the world'," John continues.
He was appointed a board member within the Netherlands-Turkey Chamber of Commerce in October 2020. "This network offers access to information via a broad web of businesses, experts, and advisors. We, thus, help entrepreneurs connect with the proper authorities, companies, and people to make the correct choices, for example, when starting activities in Turkey."
Trade mission
This chamber of commerce, in partnership with RAAD International, is again organizing a trade mission to Turkey, specifically for the fruit and vegetable sector. It will be from October 16 to 21. "Last year, mission participants gained tremendously positive results. That motivated us to organize another trade mission in October 2022," explains John.
Anton Filippo (LBP Rotterdam), Kees Rijnhout (Jaguar the fresh company), Arie Havelaar (Sawari Fresh), and Andres Ribas van Oosterom (FruitOne Europe) are among those who have registered for this new trade mission. "We already have enough participants to go ahead with the trade mission, but anyone else looking at what commercial opportunities the Turkish fruit and vegetable sector has to offer is very welcome."
"What's great is that the participants can specify which growers they'd like to visit. Our local envoy Leyla Damos and her assistant Zeynep Baysari will try to selectively find growers to meet these wishes. We're planning B2B meetings with growers in Mersin and Antalya, as well as a visit to the Interfresh Eurasia fair in Antalya," says Van Wijk.
"The war in Ukraine and the devaluation of the Turkish Lira have only benefited Turkish fruit and vegetable exports. We offer entrepreneurs from the Netherlands-Türkiye Chamber of Commerce access to a wide network of Turkish entrepreneurs, growers, exporters, importers, and government agencies."
"We also offer this program at a nice all-in rate. Our strength lies not only in our innovative personal matchmaking models and knowledge of business in Turkey and the Netherlands," says John. "We have a broad, deep understanding of geographical, demographic, and cultural aspects too."
"The trip will cost ± €2.200, including flights, hotels, local transport, a guide/translator, and lunch/diners. I'd be happy to personally discuss the trade mission with interested parties. Then we can see if there are any specific wishes we can incorporate into the program. Participants can, thus, meet specific chain partners and gain new insights into the extensive opportunities the Turkish fruit and vegetable market has to offer," concludes John.
For more information:
John van Wijk
RAAD International
60 Peseta Street
2991 XT, Barendrecht, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 180 692 211
Mob: +31 (0) 651 112 141
Email: john@raadinternational.nl Website: www.raadinternational.com