Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

“The expectation in 2021 is a sharp rise in both exports and imports,” Yavuz said, recalling that global trade weakened in 2019 and suffered a serious decline in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Emphasizing that the world's companies are increasingly attaching importance to the development of logistics in order to create a competitive advantage, Yavuz noted:

“It is now essential to configure contactless border crossings with integrated systems that are uninterrupted and free of bureaucracy, to restore our country's multi-mode transportation systems to fast and safe structures, and to manage all documents submitted at customs in a paperless environment with the principle of continuous improvement. In this context, we believe that customs authorities will have more effective risk analysis and management practices. We think this will have a significant impact on reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and stationery in customs.”

Yavuz stated that TOBB is trying to do its part in order to ensure the uninterrupted operation of international trade and supply chains, and explained the steps they have taken in this context.

- Deputy Minister of Commerce Reza Tuna Turagay

Deputy Minister of Commerce Reza Tuna Turagay said that he thinks the coming days will be much brighter than in the past. “As Turkey, we will take the steps we need to take. Turkey wants to be a winning country during this period, it is necessary to make the most of the opportunities.”

In his speech at the opening of the first International Customs and Trade Congress organized by the Association of Customs and Trade Inspectors (GTMD), Turagay noted the effects of Covid-19 pandemic on world trade and customs processes.

Turagay stated that it is not possible to achieve success in the fight against Covid-19 unless there is international cooperation, and said that the coming days will be much brighter than in the past.

“As Turkey, we will take the steps we need to take. Turkey wants to be a winning country during this period, it is necessary to make the most of the opportunities.”

- Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Dr. Kunio Mikuriya

Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, said that international communication is very important in reducing the impact of the Covid-19 in customs processes and in the smooth and fast implementation of vaccine supply.

Mikuriya pointed to the importance of improving cooperation between customs authorities and stakeholders.

Emphasizing that there are joint efforts of international organizations in terms of facilitating customs procedures, Mikuriya said, “Turkey is a very important transit country. It stands at a very important point in the global supply chain for multi-mode transportation in terms of facilitating transportation.”

- IRU Secretary General Umberto De Pretto

Umberto De Pretto, Secretary General of the International Road Transport Association (IRU), noted that border crossings have decreased especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that economic challenges in industries continue.

“In 2021, unequal border controls resulted in a 51 percent, or 447 billion euros, loss in the road passenger transport industry. Freight transport lost 13 percent, equivalent to 286 billion euros. We can say that crises in trade and road transport can continue.”

- ATO President Gürsel Baran

Gürsel Baran, President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), stressed that Turkey is able to adapt very quickly to difficult conditions despite its geography, and has taken measures by reacting quickly to the effects of Covid-19 pandemic against the economy due to its past experience and immunity to negativity.