At the ASO’s “Traditional Ambassadors’ Reception” held at the Ankara Ethnography Museum with the participation of Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Ardıç said that we are going through a period in which geopolitical and political risks are intensifying.
Ardıç stated that we are going through a period of political uncertainty, inflation and high interest rates, especially global security issues, and said, “In global markets, we are faced with a macroeconomic structure where long-term inflation is still relatively high, growth is weakening and monetary policy tightening continues.”
Ardıç pointed out that Turkey, located at the intersection of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, acts as a bridge, and that this strategic location provides the country with a great advantage in terms of being a trade, logistics and energy transit point.
Noting that the young and dynamic population plays an important role as the driving force of economic growth, Ardıç continued as follows:
“It offers great opportunities in terms of participation in the workforce, innovation and adaptation to technology. Turkey is a rapidly growing, economically integrated with the world, large market with a population of 85 million offering wide opportunities to investors and its area of influence spreads over a very wide geography. In 2023, which was overshadowed by global recession concerns and when risk perception was quite high, our country reached significant export figures thanks to our industrialists and exporters. Turkey has the potential to be a regional and global production base.”
Ardıç pointed out that Ankara is taking strong steps towards becoming the capital of industry and technology, and emphasized that the country’s production is gradually developing towards manufacturing and related service sectors with higher added value.
Noting that Ankara is one of the centers of technology and research and development activities in Turkey, Ardıç said, “The technoparks located in the capital host many local and foreign companies operating in high-tech sectors such as defense industry, informatics, biotechnology and energy. Ankara’s R&D infrastructure creates a great center of attraction for foreign capital considering investing in innovative projects and initiatives. Our city also stands out with its strong sectors such as machinery, medical, transportation, electrical-electronics, renewable energy, mining and contracting.”
Ardıç stated that as ASO, they carry out various activities and conduct research to increase the production and export potential of the capital, and that last weekend, they published Ankara’s Foreign Trade Analysis and Technological Dimension Study Report covering the years 2018-2023, prepared by the chamber.
Customs Union emphasis
Underlining that the Customs Union has been one of the most important tools that have strengthened economic cooperation between Turkey and the European Union (EU) since 1995, Ardıç made the following statements:
“Changes in the world economy and the nature of trade necessitate a re-evaluation of this agreement. As the only country that signed without being a member of the EU, we are experiencing the disadvantage of this. The Association Council decision numbered 95 to 1, which established the Customs Union, needs to be revised.
In this context, consultation procedures with Turkey should be strengthened when forming EU trade policy, and an effective mechanism should be established to resolve disputes that may arise between the two parties. Again, there are issues such as resolving Turkey’s exclusion from free trade agreements signed by the EU with third countries and the removal of quotas in road transport. Another issue related to the Customs Union is the visa problem. Our business people who want to travel to EU countries to make business meetings and agreements, and to participate in fairs continue to face visa obstacles.
This situation creates a financial burden, a loss of time and a psychological barrier, and also negatively affects the functioning of the Customs Union. In short, we mutually sign for the free movement of goods, we circulate goods freely, but our industrialists who produce them are kept waiting at the border, cannot obtain visas, and cannot even exhibit their products at fairs. I think it would be useful to bring this issue back to the agenda for a solution.”
Ardıç stated that Ankara has reached an important point with the investments made in recent years and that the capital, which has received serious investments in high and medium-high technology, will be Turkey’s technological production and export base in the coming years.
Ardıç stated that they aim to increase the capital’s technology production and high added value level with the “ASO Ankara Technology Base” project, which they have started working on, and noted the following:
“We have full confidence that we will overcome the difficult economic conditions felt in our country as well as all over the world in a short time with our economic management coordinated by our Vice President Mr. Cevdet Yılmaz. We are seeing the effects of the rational policies implemented recently to ensure macroeconomic balance.
I would like to state that we, as industrialists in Ankara, fully support our economic management with the expectation of a stable period after these difficult times. Seeing the policy targets for macro stability supported by structural reforms in the Medium Term Program announced last week gives us even more hope.
The support of industrialists for economic policies is important for the sustainable development of our country and the increase of global competitiveness. The strong cooperation that will be established between our industrialists and the government will enable us to achieve our economic and social goals. By working together, it will be possible to carry our country to a stronger, more competitive and more prosperous future.”
Source: www.dunya.com
