02.07.2010 Ankara
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are in consultation with all stakeholders at home and abroad from day one in the process of the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, and said, “Now, we are working to understand and adapt to the post-Covid-19 period.”
A
meeting was hosted by TOBB in regards to the post-Covid-19 pandemic period,
where the current situation was discussed with representatives of international
organizations; future expectations were discussed, and global trade predictions
were assessed.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stated in his speech at the videoconference meeting that the pandemic presents
the greatest global crisis since the Second World War.
Describing
their strategy as TOBB throughout the process, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “From the
very onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, TOBB has been in consultation with all
stakeholders at home and abroad. Within the country, we compiled and relayed on
the problems, demands and recommendations of our business people to the
government. Thus, we contributed to the process of preparing support packages
for the economy. Now, we are working to understand and adapt to the post-Covid-19
period.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu,
in regards to the new era, said they are seeking the answers to questions such
as, “Where does the global trading system go? What challenges and opportunities
do the European Union (EU), USA, China, Asia-Pacific and developing countries
expect? In short, where is the world going and are we ready for the global
trends that are expected to change?”
- “It is important for countries in
the region to increase cooperation”
Samir
Modi, President of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (CACCI), said they represent more than 40% of the total world's
population, citing regional economic growth and a confederation that seeks to
improve interaction between the business community.
Noting
the size of the Covid-19 outbreak, Modi said: “The epidemic was a shock to the
global economy, leading to recession in many countries. Due to Covid-19,
economic losses around the world are expected to reach $8.5 trillion by 2021.
This is thought to be the deepest recession since World War II. The pandemic
has affected the whole world. A significant amount of the world's population
lives in poverty. According to the IMF, this poverty will increase even more
because of Covid-19.”
Global
trade is expected to fall to $2.6 trillion, which would result in major job
losses in Asia-Pacific countries, Modi said, adding that the pandemic has made
it evident that the global economy must be made more resilient to economic
shocks. Modi noted that it is very important for countries in the region to
increase cooperation and the private sector to increase co-operation to reduce
the effects of the pandemic.
- “There are lessons which can be
learned”
Former
European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen also commented on the
developments in the EU this term.
Pointing
out that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way they do business, Verheugen
said, “We have not yet reached the post-Covid-19 period and peak period. We
don't know how the final result of these developments will emerge. There are
already lessons to be learned, and this process cannot be overcome by
selfishness, isolation or national actions. It is important to give a global response
to this crisis with solidarity, cooperation and sharing experience.”
Stressing
that the conference is a call to more global cohesion, Verheugen said the EU
has very important issues such as lack of vision for the future, the refugee
issue, populism and Brexit.
Verheugen
said Brexit is an important example of a dissolution within the EU, so far
negotiations for a final deal have not yielded a result, and it is not clear
whether a deal can be reached by the end of the year.
The
EU will fight politically and economically, Verheugen said, “Both Turkey needs
the EU and the EU needs Turkey.”
Verheugen
said the best thing to do in this process would be to collect the low hanging
fruit, noting: “One of them is visa liberalization. This can be done immediately
and a reconsideration of the Customs Union is an important issue. In fact, I do
not understand why the EU does not give Turkey the privileges it grants to
Norway regarding the Customs Union.”
- “2020 is a very critical period”
Youssef
Khalawi, Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and
Agriculture, said the world is facing a global crisis, both in health and
economic terms, because of the pandemic.
Khalawi
explained that 2020 is a critical period, and that global economic growth forecasts
for this year have been negative.
Khalawi
stated that his predictions are positive next year, “We learned from the
pandemic 5 lessons. The first is 'digital transformation is a necessity', the
second is the 'importance of developing e-commerce', the third is 'the need to
improve the infrastructure of logistics services', the fourth is 'compliance
with the change in the supply chain', and the fifth is 'the search for a new
model for global tourism'. Every country should do its best on these issues. The
growth locomotive of economies should be innovation, entrepreneurship, regional
integration.”