Organized by TİM and the Ministry of Trade, the 12th Joint Committee Meeting between Türkiye and the TRNC was held in Nicosia

The 12th Joint Committee Meeting, organized by Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade, was held in Nicosia on January 19, 2024.

The program was attended by Republic of Türkiye Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Republic of Türkiye Ambassador to Nicosia Metin Feyzioğlu, TRNC Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, TRNC Minister of Energy and Economy Olgun Amcaoğlu, TRNC Minister of Finance Özdemir Berova, TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı, TRNC Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş and TİM Deputy Chairman Ahmet Güleç, as well as chamber representatives and business people.

During the program, new ways to strengthen economic cooperation between Türkiye and TRNC, steps to be taken in the fields of trade and innovation, and sustainable development were discussed. Following the program, a signing ceremony was held during which a 'Joint Committee Memorandum of Understanding' was signed between Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye, and Olgun Amcaoğlu, Minister of Economy and Energy of the TRNC. The two countries also signed a Cooperation Protocol and a "Cooperation Protocol on the Inspection of Products Imported to the TRNC".

Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Minister of Trade of Türkiye: "Our relations with the TRNC are not limited to political and cultural dimensions."

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat said that the Republic of Türkiye's relations with the TRNC are not limited to political and cultural dimensions, and that they attach great importance to deepening relations in economic and commercial fields.

Noting that they are taking into account the great potential of the two countries and are aiming at taking trade relations to a higher and mutually beneficial level in line with this potential, Bolat said, "In this context, we are taking concrete steps in areas such as diversifying our trade, increasing investment opportunities and promoting mutual commercial activities."

Bolat stated that the TRNC's continuous economic development despite the embargo and isolation is a remarkable situation and congratulated the TRNC for this success. He emphasized that it is their greatest wish that TRNC companies benefit from the strong position of Turkish companies in world trade and stressed that the TRNC will continue to be supported in all fields.

Olgun Amcaoğlu, TRNC Minister of Economy and Energy: "Türkiye's vision is important for the TRNC to open its doors to the world with exports and production."

Speaking at the meeting, TRNC Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu said that Türkiye has always provided support for breakthroughs that will embrace exports and production, and pointed out that Türkiye's support, experience and shared vision are important for the TRNC to achieve its economic and commercial goals.

Stating that they are exploring various production models to boost exports and reduce foreign trade deficits, Amcaoğlu noted that the necessary steps will be taken to make industrial investments.

Amcaoğlu pointed that they have been working for a long time to complete the steps to be taken regarding the development of the TRNC's exports, production and production models, and stated that Türkiye's vision is important in terms of opening the TRNC's doors to the world through exports and production.

TİM Deputy Chairman Ahmet Güleç: "Our exports to TRNC increased by 14 percent to 2.4 billion dollars."

In his opening speech, Ahmet Güleç, Deputy Chairman of TİM, stated that they had gathered for the 12th Joint Committee Meeting and Trade Delegation Opening, and emphasized that Türkiye continues to establish strong relations with the TRNC based on the win-win principle.

Stating that as the umbrella organization of Turkish exports, they are proud to be a part of this work with more than 120 thousand exporters, Güleç said, "We continue to contribute to 9 actions within the framework of the Türkiye-TRNC Commercial and Economic Cooperation Action Plan Studies."

Güleç noted that Türkiye's exports to the TRNC increased by 14% last year, surpassing 2.4 billion dollars. He said, "I believe we should further increase our mutual trade in this period when the trend of regionalization instead of globalization in global trade is gaining momentum."

TİM Delegation Visits Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry

Following the program, TİM Deputy Chairman Ahmet Güleç and the accompanying delegation visited the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry (CTCI), which hosts TİM's first overseas office, and met with CTCI President Ali Kamacıoğlu and Board Members. In his speech during the visit, Güleç expressed their intention to further strengthen the unity between them.