28.12.2017 Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, pointing out that in 2018 global growth and trade is expected to be better than this year added "The highest global growth rate of the past seven years can be achieved. We also must get our share from that. We should take place amongst those leading maritime countries within maritime sector which is the strategic sector in global trading."
TOBB Chambers
of Maritime Trade Council Meeting held at TOBB Twin Towers with the attendance
of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Minister of Transport Maritime and
Communication Ahmet Arslan.
Speaking at
the opening session of the meeting TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that
during meeting as well as consulting the future of the sector they would also
offer their suggestions.
Stating that
they had many favourable outcomes from the consultations that they carried out
with the government Hisarcıklıoğlu also said “In relation with finance matter
we initially formed TOBB Breathing Credit. With a per-annum rate of 9.90 i.e.
the lowest rate within the market we enable firms to use credit. Then KOSGEB
granted zero-interest working capital loan. Subsequent to that historic support
has been provided to Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF). Exactly 653 thousand firms had
stand to benefit from these 3 channels, they have used credit worth of 232
billion lira. In other word, we have provided one in every 2 members of ours
with low rate finance.”
Underlining
the fact that major problem following financing was employment costs TOBB
President continued as “We have initiated employment campaign under the
leadership or of our President. Our chambers and commodity exchanges within 81 provinces
worked actively and a historic success has been achieved. Nearly 1.5 million of
additional employment provided. Firms with cost reduction has won, citizen with
a job has won, and entire country with an increased purchasing power has won.
Thirdly, many
problems concerning investment climate as we have previously reflected herein
councils and YOIKK platforms have been solved. Thereby investments of private
sector have accelerated. The most powerful investment increase for the last 2
years has been experienced in the past 3 months. Comparing to last year 55
billion lira more investment made.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
said that as of first 9 months Turkey had reached a splendid growth performance
of 7.4 percent and Minister Arslan had played a major role in all these
successful achievements.
Saying “without
transportation neither a factory can operate nor products can be delivered to
market” Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked to Minister Arslan for his determined works in
order to reduce logistic costs.
TOBB
President said that despite all internal and external obstacles that they has
to face, Turkish economy and real sector were sound and dynamic which their
current target was to increase that performance.
Explaining
that in 2018 global growth and trade are expected to be better than 2017
Hisarcıklıoğlu said “The highest global growth rate of the past seven years can
be achieved. We also must get our share from that. In order to that we should
take place amongst those “leading maritime countries” within maritime sector
which is the strategic sector in global trading. This, surely is not an easy
job. Because where global competition, in fact brutal competition pre-eminently
experienced sector is maritime. You should both survive and keep your country’
flag flying over seven seas. Accordingly entire maritime council members
representing the sector herein deserve an additional compliment.”
Underlining
the fact that Turkish maritime sector has gained decent acceleration thanks to
accurate policies applied recently, Hisarcıklıoğlu added as follows; “Thanks to
our government initiating special consumption tax free fuel practice as we
previously reflected herein council coastal shipping rallied. Over the past
decade (2006-2016), coast-trade cargo handlings at the ports has increased from
30 million tonnes to 53 million tonnes. Our merchant marine fleet has also
extended. 10 years ago as we were ranking 19th in world, yet last
year we have moved up rank number 15. Associated with the expansion of our
fleet maritime transport share in our exportation has increased from 47 percent
to 57 percent.
The total
amount of export that we carried out by maritime transport has reached from 17
billion dollars to 80 billion dollars. The number of active shipyards which was
37 back in 2002 has now reached to 79. There were 18 years to expiration of
rent period for shipyards which were rented for 49 years. Upon our request this
period has been extended to 49 years yet again. Therefore it was provided our
shipyards to see their futures clearly, to make better plans and increase in
their credit ratings.
In the
meantime, we are expecting same application to be available also for
approximately 15 shipyards operate in Black Sea region. Inclusion of ship
building sector to 5th zone incentive coverage sector had breath of
fresh air. In addition to that we should prepare Maritime Industry Strategy
Paper. Thereby ship building and sub-industries also will be included to
strategic sectors.
All the
revenue stamps and BSMB (Banking and Insurance Transaction Tax) on all the
documents apply for the ships and yachts to be registered to Turkish
International Ship Registry have been abrogated. Thereby bearing Turkish flag
has been promoted. For the incomplete ship investments surety support is
provided from Credit Guarantee Fund. In ship building industry we achieved not
only being self-sufficient but also being capable of exporting ships.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
said that with the contributions and supports to maritime sector by the state
under the leadership of Minister Arslan Turkish maritime sector ranked amongst
first 15 countries worldwide and obtained the tittle of maritime country.
Stating that
this has been a significant success Hisarcıklıoğlu also said “We have more
grounds to cover. Because maritime is also our national heritage and national wealth.
We must maintain the vitality and functionality of maritime sector. Otherwise
increasing trading volume will serve foreign shipping companies. In 1 year the
amount we paid for transportation cost is nearly 10 billion dollars. Why such a
huge amount should be transferred to abroad? Why not such amount would go to
our national companies and bring in our national economy? Turkey’s shipping
equipment export volume is 50 million dollars. In Europe 22 thousand shipping
equipment firm provide employment for 241 thousand people and achieve 12 billion
euro worth of exportation. The total production value of 300 European firms
which deal only with commercial ship building is 35 billion euros. In
accordance with 500 billion dollars exportation target we have to extend,
promote our ship building industry, marine transportation, ports further more.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
said that maritime sector had become one of the rising star of Turkey as well
as a world-renowned brand.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
concluded his speech as follows “We are in a position where we can build any
type of turn-key ship. This year, with 60 percent increase our ship and yacht
exportation volume appears to reach 1 billon 350 million dollar level. Within
the ship building sector, the state’s achieved saving just by building a single
military ship is 300 million Euros. In that case, we need to empower our marine
fleet, shipyards, and ship building industry. The key to improve our marine
fleet is primarily to empower our shipyards. In order to renew our marine fleet
new opportunities, incentives are required. By taking our increasing trade
volume with Russia in to consideration, renewal project for our coaster fleet primarily
should be put into effect. The major inconvenience stands in our sector’s way
obstructing its growth is still funding. Ships with flag of convenience have a
more easy access to funding. In this matter there are things that can be done
in relation with regulations and practises. We have long way to go in sea
tourism area. Especially in cruise tourism we are not getting the share that we
deserve.”
-Minister of
Transport Maritime and Communication Ahmet Arslan.
Minister of
Transport Maritime and Communication Ahmet Arslan said that the meeting with
the sector representatives which was held every year gave the opportunity to
review the sector.
Underlining
the fact that support put into maritime sector by the government cannot be
ignored, Arslan also stated "It is historical fact that the region that we
live in never forgives non-maritime countries and also nations who turns their
back to sea. As seamen we should know better such fact. In every area on the
scale of importance that we give to the sea and maritime the country that we
live on gains strength."
Arslan noted
that Turkey secured its position in the last 15 years and now there is Turkey standing
as a world-wide brand in yacht manufacturing, achieved efficient services with
its marinas, green ports.
Underlining
the fact that in maritime Turkey had reached European Union standards, Arslan
quoted that during 2004-2016 period 5 billion 607 million lira worth of support
was provided for maritime sector.
Arslan informing
about with 29 million deadweight tonnes of capacity Turkey ranked 15th
amongst 30 countries which control 94 percent of worldwide merchant marine
fleet, added "15 years ago, with 8.7 million deadweight tonnes Turkey was
ranking number 17. In 2003 the amount of handled cargo at our ports was 190
million tonnes whereas in 2016 the amount doubled itself and exceeded to 430
million tonnes. Meantime foreign trade freights was 149 million has now reached
to 310 million tonnes. In 2016 the nominal value of maritime share in our
country’s total foreign trade has increased by around 250 percent reaching from
57 billion dollars to 198 billion dollars comparing to year 2003. The amount of
handled container at our ports has reached to from 2.5 million TEU to 9 million
TEU. In 2003 where only 9 international regular Ro-Ro line were available by
the end of 2016 that number has reached to 19. The vehicles transported through
those Ro-Ro lines have increased from 220 thousand to 450 thousand. While the handled
cargo in coasting trade was 28 million now it has exceeded to 53 million 300
thousand."
Highlighting
the number of active shipyard increased from 37 to 79, Arslan said "the
installed capacity of these shipyards have increased from almost 600 thousand
tonnes to 4.5 million deadweight tonnes. In 2004 approximately 15 thousand
people were employed in the shipyards whereas by the end of 2016 this number
has reached to 30 thousand people. When the related business lines also taken
into consideration, supposing that 90 thousand people are being employed in
this manner, therefore in overall we are providing direct employment for 120 thousand
people."
Underlining
the fact that maritime sector to be able to take its rightful place more hard
working effort is needed Arslan also added that in order to clear the way for
the sector the number of formed national and international regulations in 15
years has reached to 351.