The Sixth Edition of TİM Export Talks Held

TİM Export Talks Sixth Edition Held The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) continues its "TİM Export Talks" online panels with ambassadors since 2020, aimed at charting the direction of trade during and after the pandemic period. The first "TİM Export Talks" panel of 2022 was held under the title "What Opportunities Exist in Russia?" The panel was attended by Turkey's Ambassador to Moscow Mehmet Samsar and TİM President İsmail Gülle. The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), the umbrella organization of 100,000 exporters across 61 exporter associations and 27 sectors, continues its efforts to mitigate the effects of the contracting international trade during the Covid-19 process and to establish a stronger position in the new world order that will emerge after the process. The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) organizes TİM Export Talks programs to enhance the maneuvering capabilities of exporting companies in foreign markets and to inform firms about current developments in export markets alongside the global pandemic outbreak. The "TİM Export Talks" online panel series, which has been held with the participation of ambassadors since 2020 and has evaluated opportunities in countries such as China, the Netherlands, the USA, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, continued this year with a panel addressing the export potential to be realized to the Russian Federation. The panel, with the participation of Turkey's Ambassador to Moscow Mehmet Samsar and TİM President İsmail Gülle, was held live under the title "What Opportunities Exist in Russia?" through TİM's social media accounts. The panel evaluated the condition of the Russian Federation's economy after the outbreak, developments in the two countries' foreign trade, and opportunities for the coming period. Informative presentations were then made to companies regarding current developments.

"Just as it is impossible for Turkey to remain indifferent politically to the process, it is equally implausible to remain indifferent commercially and economically"

  TİM President İsmail Gülle, noting that they are closely following the war between two countries that are Turkey's neighbors from the Black Sea and with which Turkey has deep economic, political, commercial and cultural relations, provided the following information regarding Turkey's exports to these countries: "Last year, we exported USD 5.8 billion to Russia with a 28 percent increase, USD 2.9 billion to Ukraine with a 40 percent increase, and USD 916 million to Belarus with a 52 percent increase. In 2021, we hosted 4.7 million tourists from Russia, 2 million from Ukraine, and 300,000 from Belarus. Our two neighbors from the Black Sea and Belarus, which is directly involved in the process, are directly responsible for USD 10 billion of our export revenue and USD 5 billion of our tourism revenue. Given this situation, just as it is impossible for Turkey to remain indifferent politically to the process, it is equally implausible to remain indifferent commercially and economically," he said.

"We are proud of our diplomacy that managed to bring the two countries' Foreign Ministers together in Antalya and their negotiating teams in Istanbul"

  TİM President İsmail Gülle, emphasizing that Turkey is one of the rare countries that has managed to take reasonable and rational steps in an environment where injustices are ignored and all methods are used to isolate a country and its people, stated: "As our President has clearly expressed, it is impossible for us to abandon either Russia or Ukraine. Turkey has conducted proactive diplomacy on a mediation basis, protecting its own interests in this war, contributing to ensuring international security, and initiating efforts to end this war as soon as possible. Through our Ambassador Mehmet Samsar, I would like to express that we are proud of our diplomacy that managed to bring the Foreign Ministers of the two warring countries together in Antalya and their negotiating teams in Istanbul. I extend our gratitude to our Foreign Ministry for demonstrating our peace-oriented stance to the entire world," he said. While Turkey was striving for peace, TİM President İsmail Gülle noted that as an export family, they have been seeking the possible effects of this war and solutions. He stated that they held a sector council meeting chaired by Commerce Minister Mehmet Muş in the early days of the war, evaluated the possible problems of all sectors, and worked on alternative methods. TİM President İsmail Gülle continued his remarks as follows: "Although there have been some important commercial developments during this period, the war continues with all its uncertainty. According to some international organizations, this war will cause a one percent contraction in the world economy. At the same time, a slowdown in demand in the USA and EU countries, which are our main export markets, is among the possibilities. The war between two countries extremely rich in raw materials and energy sources has resulted in severe fluctuations in commodity prices and supply problems. Apart from the indirect effects of the war on our exports, there are unfortunately serious problems in our exports to all three countries. In March, which was entirely marked by the war, our exports to Russia declined by 38 percent, to Ukraine by 81 percent, and to Belarus by 39 percent. Looking at the first quarter's performance, our exports to Russia remained unchanged compared to last year, while we saw a 4 percent increase to Belarus and only a 5 percent decline to Ukraine. Therefore, at present, we can say that the war only prevented an increase in exports. However, the course of the war does not promise a peaceful atmosphere in the near term," he said.  

TİM President İsmail Gülle voiced exporters' demands

TİM President İsmail Gülle, noting that Turkish exporters face issues and demands seeking solutions due to the war, stated: "Increasing the number of passenger transportation routes and flights would be beneficial in attracting Russian citizens subject to sanctions from Western countries to our country. More competitive prices in air cargo shipments and alleviating customs problems encountered in shipments sent through Samsun are among the demands. Logistical problems have also emerged in exports to Russia. The complete closure of the sea route and the non-functioning of the European route have directed all traffic to Azerbaijan and Georgia. Delays and cost increases have emerged on this route as well. Additionally, there are certain problems arising from exchange rate differences caused by sanctions regarding the repatriation of export proceeds," he said.  

"We support our government and diplomatic representatives who continue their efforts to achieve peace"

  TİM President İsmail Gülle, noting that Turkey has experienced various wars and internal conflicts in its near geography throughout history, stated: "As an export family, we know better than anyone that there is light at the end of every darkness. For that reason, we are monitoring events with patience and caution. Our only wish is for the war that has caused a great human drama to end as soon as possible. Goods can be replaced, trade can be restored, but lost lives cannot be brought back. For this reason, I reiterate our support for our government and diplomatic representatives who continue their efforts to achieve peace," he said.  

"Our goal is to reach USD 100 billion in joint trade volume"

Moscow Ambassador Mehmet Samsar, emphasizing that economic and commercial ties are the driving force in relations between Turkey and the Russian Federation, stated: "Russia is one of our most important foreign trade partners. In 2021, we all observed that the negative effects of the pandemic period in almost all relevant foreign trade flows gave way to rapid improvement. With our increasing export performance and recovering imports, in 2021 we reached the second highest bilateral trade volume of USD 34.7 billion. Our joint goal is to consolidate the said growth performance, which exceeds 55 percent in bilateral trade, in the coming period and reach the joint trade volume of over USD 100 billion set as a target by our Presidents. As the Republic of Turkey, we continue our efforts in this direction together with our businesspeople. Economic relations between Turkey and Russia are not comprised solely of merchandise trade. The two countries, particularly through the trade partnership and cooperation they have demonstrated in contracting services and tourism, stand out in global service trade flows. In 2021, the projects undertaken by our contractors, exceeding USD 11 billion, brought the total project portfolio undertaken in Russia close to USD 100 billion. I would like to emphasize the importance of the contribution of our valued businesspeople to service trade in the development of trade relations between the two countries and, on this occasion, extend my thanks to all of you, particularly TİM President İsmail Gülle, for this success that is cited as an example throughout the world," he said.