The Challenge

In Turkey, a global consumer products company faced onerous and unfair treatment under a legacy import duties and tax regime. Judicial proceedings threatened fines and frozen assets, as well as possible penalties to individual employees. The company was contemplating an exit from the market.

The ASG Approach

Our team in Turkey developed a strategy to build upon our client’s limited set of existing relationships in national and local government, including in the Turkish Customs Authority. Through sustained engagement, the company expanded that network of relationships to reach other key policymakers. Over the course of dozens of meetings we were able to engage various jurisdictions and levels of government, raising awareness of the discriminatory nature of the tax policies and highlighting the negative impact the current regulations had on Turkey's economy. Our team worked tirelessly to propose and explain solutions beneficial to both the company and the government. We also leveraged ASG’s global network to identify and put forth case studies from other markets as possible options for resolution of the issue.

The Result

As a result of our efforts, the government enacted legislation that paved the way for our client and other similarly situated companies to resolve their financial disputes. Our client was able to maintain a strong presence in Turkey, and actually increase its level of investment. This major policy reform unlocked billions of dollars of value for our client and significantly benefitted the Turkish economy.