06.11.2013 Helsinki / Finlandiya
Speaking at the Turkey – Finland Business Forum which took place in Helsinki, TOBB/DEİK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the economic relations between turkey and Finland were not at the level they deserved to be and invited Finnish companies to invest in Turkey.
Explaining that they,
the Turkish business community, are working towards the goal of making Turkey
one of the 10 largest economies in the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In this
regard, we have achieved significant progress as a country. We have achieved
stability in the economy. We broke growth records while Europe shrunk in the
global crisis. We have improved the investment environment, lowering
bureaucracy to remove obstacles to foreign investors.
We have tripled our
per capita income in the last 10 years. We have become an industrial country
which markets over 20,000 goods to over 200 countries. These are only a few of
our achievements. The economic transformation we have brought about has enabled
us to reach an export volume of 155 billion USD.”
- Our exports to Finland are only 300 million USD
Stating that they
selling more than half of their goods in the most competitive markets in the
world, Europe and America, the TOBB President said that they stand out with the
quality of their goods, however, their exports to Finland which imports 80
billion USD worth of goods every year add up to only 300 million USD.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
emphasized that the trade figures are the biggest indicator that the two
countries do not know each other. Stressing that Finland is one of the
strongest countries in the world in regards to competitive power in high tech,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “How much, then, do you sell to one of the fastest growing
countries in the world, which imports 230 billion USD – Turkey? Only 1.1
billion USD. That is what we are here to change. I believe that the experienced
Finland and the dynamic Turkey will make great partners.”
- “I invite Finnish companies to invest in Turkey”
“We are two countries
which have complementary production structures, not rivals,” said the TOBB
President and went on, “If we are able to take advantage of opportunities, I
believe that the two countries could write another growth epic in Europe.
I am of the opinion
that there is significant potential in the field of investment in addition to
trade. Turkey has drawn in 123 billion USD in direct investments in the last 10
years. The Finnish business community has invested 5 billion USD in Turkey this
year. But we can do so much more than this.
Before you, I invite
Finnish companies to invest in Turkey. Let’s develop joint projects in high
tech and IT. Let us form an exemplary partnership for the 21st
century
Turkey is Finland’s
gateway to a market worth 1 billion USD spanning the Middle East, Central Asia
and North Africa.
We can cooperate and
form partnerships in many fields throughout this huge region. Significant opportunities
are offered by this region where rapid population increase and a fast developing
middle class are present.”
- “We are subject to unfair treatment in both the
membership negotiations as well as the Customs Union”
Reminding that
Turkey’s membership status in the European Union was announced during Finland’s
term presidency, the TOBB President stated that Finland is an important actor
in Turkey’s membership process with its friendly and constructive conduct.
Explaining that
Turkey is subject to unfair treatment in both the membership negotiations as
well as the Customs Union, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Through unfair visa and
transportation quotas, the competitive power of Turkish companies is being
weakened in the European market. Turkey’s most respectable businessmen and
opinion leaders are present in this hall today. They’ve come to visit your
county as a part our Prime Minister’s official visit.
Unfortunately, we’ve
all had to go through visa procedures. This is as much the European Union’s
problem as it is ours. We anticipate your support in our endeavor against these
unjust procedures.”
Expressing that they
are thoroughly agitated that Turkey is not included in free trade agreements
signed by the EU, Hisarcıklıoğlu continued his speech, “Especially recently,
talks for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership have begun between
the USA and the European Union have begun.
In the interest of
Turkey as much as it is in the interest of the European Union, it is imperative
that Turkey is party to this agreement which will redefine the rules of global
trade. We believe that, as the Turkish business community, in line with the
philosophy of the Customs Union, we must have a word in these talks and be a
party to these negotiations. Let me state clearly that we expect an invitation
from the European Union to the TTIP negotiations.”
Following Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu’s speech, Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan spoke about the
economic developments in Turkey, being one of the most foreign investment
attracting countries in the world.
Attending the
business forum were Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Economy Minister Zafer
Çağlayan, EU Minister Egemen Bağış, TİM President Mehmet Büyükekşi as well as
Turkish and Finnish businessmen.