Minister of Commerce Ruhsar Pekcan, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the meeting via video conference, where 365 chambers and commodity exchanges and 61 sector council presidents were present.
In her speech at the meeting, Minister Pekcan stated that during the Covid-19 epidemic, they worked in full coordination with all ministries, public institutions and organizations under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and that the state and the nation in Turkey are in full solidarity and that this process will continue from now on. He said he would continue.
Stating that Turkey has made successful progress compared to other countries in terms of health, Pekcan stated that all measures have been taken in order for the country to get out of the epidemic as soon as possible. Pekcan stated that they aim to stand up in trade in a dynamic manner with the business world, and that they will strive to be a country that differentiates positively in terms of economy, trade and exports.
Reminding that they implemented the contactless trade application in order to minimize the impact of this process on exports, Pekcan said, “During this period, railway trade came to the fore in transportation. From now on, we must use the railway more effectively.” he said.
“We constantly exchange views with the business world”
Pointing to the work undertaken by the Ministry, Pekcan said that they strive to fulfill the demands related to the Ministry’s field of duty by constantly exchanging views with the business world, and that they convey other issues to the relevant authorities.
Touching on the issue of digitalization, Pekcan said:
“In this process, we cannot hold trade and purchasing delegations and fairs. We have started virtual fair and trade delegation practices. First of all, we start with the chemical sector, then we will organize trade delegations in the USA, Mexico and Poland in the ferrous and non-ferrous metals, household goods and plastic sectors. We will start our virtual fair application. “We are starting with the agricultural sector, followed by the shoe and saddlery sector.”
Pekcan reminded that they launched the “Virtual Trade Academy” and “Export Academy” programs to make the most of the time spent at home.
“We need to strengthen digitalization efforts”
Stating that the importance of digitalization was understood once again during the epidemic period, Pekcan said, “Investments in the field of digitalization and technology are as important as food for Turkey and the world. The investments we will make in food, health and digitalization will be the priorities of the coming period. We need to strengthen our work in this regard.” he said.
Pekcan reminded that within the scope of the Economic Stability Shield Package announced by President Erdoğan, important supports were provided to the business world in areas such as tax facilities, expansion of financial opportunities and employment.
Thanking TOBB for its result-oriented, solution-producing work in this process, Pekcan said that “Breath Credit” is an important work done for the business world.
Reminding that chamber and stock exchange dues have been postponed and meetings can be held electronically, Pekcan said, “Our expectation from you is to get out of this process as soon as possible by increasing our production, capacity and exports, with our support.” said.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/ticaret-bakani-ruhsar-pekcandan-3-alanda-yatirim-vurgusu/1825233
