Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Stating that they aim to strengthen the industrialists’ competitive power via the Great Anatolia Logistics Project, TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Until today, the Anatolian industrialist was unable to market his goods in Europe due to lack of transportation systems. The transportation costs are prohibitive for our industrialists in Anatolia. Despite the fact that an agreement exists with the European Union, only our western provinces have been able to take advantage of it. While İstanbul, İzmir and Bursa export 51%, 61% and 78% of their goods respectively to Europe; Konya, in central Anatolia, and Gaziantep export only 33% and 24% respectively to Europe. This means that because transportation costs decrease competitive power, Anatolia is unable to be a part of the Customs Union. We will solve this with the BALO project.”

- First train departs on September 8th

Stating that the first freight train will depart for Munich on the 8th of September, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Our industrialists will be able to transport their goods via train to Europe with less portage.  Trains which will travel to Bandırma from various provinces in Anatolia will cross the Marmara, reaching Tekirdağ. From Tekirdağ, they will travel to Munich and Köln as a part of the cooperation agreement we’ve established with the Austrian Railways.” Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they would start transporting freight to other European countries as well.

- Cargo collection centers to be established

Emphasizing that they will establish cargo collection centers in various provinces of Anatolia, Hisarcıklıoğlu provided the following information, “Despite the many kilometers separating our industrialists in the west and in Anatolia, the difference portage costs between the two will drop to as little as 125-200 Euros. This way, foreign investors will show greater interest in Anatolia which will have begun to solve its logistical problems; becoming able to export high added value goods. We aim to connect Anatolia to Europe and then Scandinavia and Pakistan by extending the network, conducting railway freight activities in Central Asia and the Far East.”

Stating that BALO is not in competition with other transportation methods in the logistics sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they would work together with all service providers in the sector.

- BALO’s strong partnership structure

Emphasizing that the Great Anatolian Logistics Organizations (BALO) Inc has a strong partnership structure, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB as well as 51 chambers, 24 exchanges and 15 organized industry zones, UTİKAD and UMAT are among the company’s partners. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We will utilize the 45 Hc containers. For now, we will make 2 trips to Munich and Köln a week. We will transport freight from Manisa to Köln in 12 days. Two block train trips will take place weekly. We will have two train ferries. We want to revitalize the Silk Road. We will transport the goods coming from there to Turkey and other countries.”