Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat answered the questions of the MPs after the 2027 budget discussions of the Ministry and its affiliates at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Planning and Budget Commission.
Stating that serious stability has been achieved in the market with the regulations on product safety and market surveillance in order to ensure stability in the markets and protect consumers, Bolat stated that consumers conveyed their satisfaction with the regulations.
Bolat pointed out that routine and continuous inspections against exorbitant prices were never stopped, and that the penalties imposed in cases of non-compliance were sent to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the necessary actions were taken within the framework of the monitoring of public receivables.
Stating that serious regulations have been made regarding women's cooperatives, Bolat said, "We have been providing grant support to women's cooperatives since 2021. We increased the grant support for investment applications when they were first established to 1 million lira. We also increased the grant support for two personnel for a year in personnel employment to 840 thousand lira. We provide grant support of up to 150 thousand lira for participation in fairs." he said.
"THIS YEAR THERE WAS A HUGE INCREASE IN PRODUCTION AND LEMON PRICES DECREASED"
Minister Bolat pointed out that the price increase in lemon last year was due to the extreme frost in February and April, and said that they held the necessary discussions with the sector in every decision they made.
Stating that their priority is not to prevent exports, but if necessary, import regulations can be made, Bolat made the following evaluation:
"In the one-day decision process about lemon, about 1.5 years ago, all lemon producers and exporters came and said, 'We will ensure that the prices do not rise above 60 liras, we promise, we undertake' and we lifted the decision that day. Unfortunately, due to the lack of production due to frost, lemon prices were around 200 liras in the markets and markets. This year, there was a huge increase in production and lemon prices decreased."
Bolat stated that they met with producers and exporters from Hatay, Mersin, Adana and Antalya last week, and said that after the meeting, the parties returned to their hometowns with satisfaction.
Reminding that it is forbidden to directly or openly subsidize agricultural products in world trade, Bolat said, "In such a case, as a general rule, Turkey will be punished. For this reason, we support them with different methods. We are trying to ensure that our ministries of National Defense, Internal Affairs, National Education, Youth and Sports and Family and Social Services purchase products that are in excess supply. During our term of office, we organized these purchases in apples, citrus fruits, oranges, potatoes and onions, and we are making the same effort this year." he said.
"WE WILL DISCUSS THE SECOND FREE ZONE IN ANTALYA"
In response to a question about the trucks waiting at the Bulgarian border, Bolat reminded that the destination point of the trucks is normally Iran and that similar situations have occurred before and said:
"When Iran does not accept these trucks, the vehicles remain abandoned on Turkish territory, they are forced to go to liquidation and the drivers abandon the vehicles. At this point, we stopped their passage in order to avoid any abandoned trucks in our country. These are vehicles that come to transit as goods. We will make the necessary technical arrangements."
Reminding that an extension of time was provided for the restructuring of tradesmen's and farmers' debts, Minister Bolat said, "We will continue to make the necessary calls and initiatives in the Economy Coordination Board to reduce interest rates. At the same time, we will discuss the issue of the second free zone in Antalya with both local authorities and our General Directorate of Free Zones." he said.
Stating that they increased Türkiye's share in world trade, Bolat pointed out the negative developments in global trade in recent years. Noting that they had difficulty in trading with Russia, Ukraine and Iran for this reason, Bolat said that they increased exports to the Gulf countries with the transit visa regime they started in April.
CUSTOMS DOORS
Minister Bolat pointed out the work carried out at the customs gates and stated that activities to modernize the Yayladağ Customs Gate are continuing.
Stating that Türkiye is willing to open the Nusaybin-Kamışlı Customs Gate, Bolat continued as follows:
"The Syrian side also needs to be willing. In our meeting with the President of the Syrian Customs and Ports Administration, Kuteybe Bedevi, 2 months ago, he said, 'We are planning to be ready by the end of this year, we are working.' They used the expression 'a little later' for the Mürşitpınar Customs Gate. Our side is ready for Nusaybin, the other side is a field, so customs cannot be opened. We are forcing them. When Nusaybin is opened, there will be access to both Syria and Iraq. "They said that they expanded the Cilvegözü Customs Gate, but they also gave the target for the end of the year. The decision to close the Ceylanpınar Customs Gate belongs to the Syrians. With our persuasion efforts, 6 customs gates are currently open."
Bolat stated that they invested and carried out expansion works at Akçakale Customs Gate, and the capacity increased at Derecik and Esendere customs gates.
Explaining that Turkish trucks started to go to Iran from Kapıköy Customs Gate last week, Bolat stated that the capacity will increase with the completion of the renovation works at Gürbulak Customs Gate.
Bolat pointed out that in addition to these works in Türkiye's customs, it is important for the customs administration of the other country to prepare the necessary infrastructure.
"THE QUALITY, BRAND VALUE, TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL OF TURKISH GOODS ARE VERY GOOD"
Pointing out that the image of Turkish goods is at a very good level all over the world, Bolat said, "The quality, brand value and technological level of Turkish goods are very good. We have also made a serious move in technological products. In machinery products, Turkey has the perception of 'a country that produces machinery at the quality of Germany and Switzerland' in the world. The same goes for automotive." he said.
In the commission, the 2027 budgets of the Ministry of Commerce, the Competition Authority and the Halal Accreditation Agency were accepted.
