06.05.2020 Ankara
TOBB Transport and Logistics, Civil Aviation, Road Passenger Transport, Maritime and Telecommunications sector councillors met at a joint sector council meeting organized via video conference.
At
the meeting attended by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey
(TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and Minister of Transport and
Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoğlu, the negative effects of the Covid-19
outbreak on sectors were discussed.
TOBB
President Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at the meeting, noted that transport and
logistics, civil aviation, road passenger transport, maritime and
telecommunications sectors are among the sectors most affected by the crisis,
emphasizing, “Because they’re the most important partners of other sectors.
Production slowed, business volume fell. Domestic and international flights
have been cancelled. Countries have closed borders, exports have slowed, we
have been unable to carry our goods. Tourism stopped, was covered by force
majeure, but maritime tourism and related sectors were not included. Intercity
passenger transportation decreased and is subject to permits. Our service
vehicles are also not working because our schools are closed.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated that it is necessary to keep these sectors afloat, which are the most
important part of the supply chain, and reminded that at the beginning of the
crisis they presented a package of 70-something proposals to the government and
that a significant part of them were implemented.
Noting
that Minister Karaismailoğlu took office during this crisis and set to immediately,
the TOBB President said, “Buffer zones were created at the border crossings,
contactless trade has begun. Vehicle inspection times and exhaust emission
measurements were extended for 3 months for all vehicles that arrived during
the inspection period. The deductible procedures of commercial vehicles with
expired inspection periods have been postponed. I would like to express our
gratitude to our Minister who provided us with all these opportunities."
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated that there are pending and not finalized demands, and asked Minister
Karaismailoğlu for support on issues such as providing tax-free fuel for
transportation sectors and delaying second installment of MTV for commercial
vehicles.