New Target in Trade with Venezuela 5 Billion Dollars
Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) organized a trade delegation to Venezuela within the scope of the "Faraway Countries Strategy" of the Ministry Trade. Turkish exporters held more than 1000 bilateral business meetings (B2B) with Venezuelan business people in the program attended by Trade Minister Mehmet Muş and TİM President Mustafa Gültepe as well as more than 60 company representatives from 21 different sectors.
Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), the umbrella organization of more than 100 thousand exporters, organized a trade delegation to Venezuela within the scope of the "Far Countries Strategy" announced by the Ministry of Trade for the development of trade with distant countries with high potential. TİM President Mustafa Gültepe and Turkish exporters in the delegation from various sectors accompanied Minister of Trade Mehmet Muş , who traveled Venezuela for official visits.
Minister of Trade Mehmet Muş, TİM President Mustafa Gültepe, TİM Board Members, Exporters' Assosiations Presidents and Vice President of the Republic of Venezuela Delcy Elonia Rodriguez, Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce President Carlos A. Fernández, Turkish Republic Ambassador to Caracas Naci Aydan Karamanoğlu, DEİK President Nail Olpak and business people from both countries attended the opening ceremony of the “Türkiye-Venezuela Trade Delegation and B2B Meetings” program lasting 2 days held in the capital Caracas .
“The relations between two countries are getting stronger every year”
In the opening speech of the program, TİM President Mustafa Gültepe stated that, despite the long distance, Türkiye has a close and strong bond of love with the Venezuelan people, and he felt this closeness again from the first moment they landed in the country. Refering the historical relations between Türkiye and Venezuela, Gültepe continued his speach as follows:
“The relationship between the two countries was established in 1950. But there are ties between us that go back 150-200 years. In the 19th century, there was the first migration from the Ottoman Empire to Venezuela. Despite the difficult conditions of that period, many Ottoman citizens who crossed the ocean settled in this country. As you call it "Los Turcos", plant a seed of friendship and brotherhood relations between our countries. Relations built on those basis are getting stronger every year on the basis of mutual trust and cooperation.”
“We will increase the trade volume over 5 billion dollars in the medium term”
Gültepe stated that foreign trade volume between Türkiye and Venezuela was 152 million dollars in 2019, it exceeded 1 billion dollars in 2022. There is a significant increase, but the potential of the two countries is at least 4-5 times higher, he added.
Minister of Trade Mehmet Muş: I hope that this synergy between the two countries will carry us to new achievements in 2023.
In the opening speech session, Minister of Trade Mehmet Muş, expressed his gratitude the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) and Venezuelan authorities for their contribution to the development of mutual commercial relations and the organization of this business forum.
Celebrating the 73rd anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with Venezuela, Muş said, "Such deep-rooted relationship which we have with friendly and brotherly Venezuela is improving our close cooperation todays on solid foundations."
Drawing attention to Venezuela's stance after the treacherous coup attempt targeting Türkiye's democratic institutions, Muş said, "The night of July 15 2016, marked a turning point in our relations. The Venezuelan government and people, supported the constitutional and legitimate government of Türkiye, and showed an example of true friendship.
“The level that our bilateral relations have reached is very pleasing”
Stating that 6 important agreements were signed between the two countries, Muş said:
Emphasizing that both countries have strong will at the highest level, Muş said, "We completed 2022 with 4 mutual official visits, 9 new agreements and a trade volume reaching 1.1 billion dollars, with mutual successes. I hope that this synergy between the two countries will carry us to new achievements in 2023."
1000 Meetings in 2 days
After the opening ceremony, bilateral business negotiations started. More than 1000 bilateral and roundtable meetings were held between 60 Turkish and 300 Venezuelan companies. Venezuela (Caracas) Trade Delegation continued with the visits of Vice President of Venezuela and Minister of Science, Technology, Education and Health Gabriela Jiménez, and Minister of Tourism Alí Ernesto Padrón Paredes,. The program ended after the visits of our exporters to the important companies and institutions of Venezuela for market research.