This year, Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, MÜSİAD President Mahmut Asmalı, MÜSİAD Ankara Branch President Hasan Fehmi Yılmaz, NGO Representatives and MÜSİAD members attended the MÜSİAD Ankara Traditional Iftar Programme traditionally organized by the Ankara Branch of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD).
The MÜSİAD Ankara Traditional Iftar Programme, held at the Ankara Altındağ Cultural Centre, began with the speeches of Minister of Trade Bolat, Minister of Labour and Social Security Işıkhan, President Asmalı and MÜSİAD Ankara Branch President Hasan Fehmi Yılmaz. Interest in the iftar programme, which was attended by MÜSİAD Members and NGO Representatives in Ankara as well as by Deputy Ministers and bureaucrats, was intense.
“The current account deficit will fall to USD 32 billion in February”
Speaking at the MÜSİAD Ankara Traditional Iftar Programme, Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, referring to the point at which major steps are being taken to close the foreign trade and current account deficit, said: "We managed to reduce our 12-month foreign trade deficit, which was USD 122.5 billion last May, to USD 93 billion as of February, and our current account deficit, which was USD 60 billion again last May, to USD 37.5 billion as of January. God willing, when the February figures are announced, we will see that our current account deficit has fallen to around USD 32 billion."
Stating that the journey continues with the vision of the Century of Türkiye, Bolat conveyed that, as the Ministry, they provided exporters with USD 50 billion in loan and insurance support this year through Türk Eximbank resources and that at the same time corporate tax was reduced by 5 points for exporters, and emphasized that they granted the opportunity of 50 percent subsidized rediscount loans from Central Bank resources.
“We will realize the structural transformations”
Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, for his part, emphasized in the speech he delivered at the iftar programme that MÜSİAD has undertaken important duties in the periods when the country was passing through critical thresholds both politically and economically.
Emphasizing that today there is a strong Türkiye and a will that sends astronauts into space, that can make its own weapons, aircraft, ships and cars, that is fully independent and possesses every means on the path of national development, Işıkhan continued as follows:
"We know that there is a serious burden arising from the pandemic process on the one hand, the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on the other, and from certain steps taken in past periods, and that accordingly structural reforms are needed in working life and social security. God willing, after 31 March we will also launch a period in which these reforms are implemented. We are making our basic preparations within the framework of the Medium-Term Program, our 12th Development Plan and our other higher-level documents. In successfully building the Century of Türkiye, as the Ministry we will also implement comprehensive regulations that will use public resources far more effectively and efficiently, clear the way for our entrepreneurs, bring our working life into line with the dynamics of the age and increase participation, and strengthen the sustainability of the social security system."
Stating that they will bring these regulations to success by carrying them out in consultation with the actors of the market, Işıkhan said: "We will carry out our policies with a discipline bound to our plans and with an understanding that builds the future rather than saving the day. Together with you, we will realize a mental and structural transformation that supports rather than obstructs the path of our workers, our employers, our investors and our business operators, and that facilitates rather than complicates."
"Türkiye is on the eve of a period of great leap forward"
In the speech he delivered, President Asmalı said that they entered the month of Ramadan this year with a heavy heart and that a great tragedy has been taking place in Gaza for months. Asmalı said: "We are making every effort we can for our believing brothers and sisters who are being subjected to genocide and oppression in Gaza, and we will continue to do so. Our wish is that our Palestinian brothers and sisters too will attain peace and tranquillity as soon as possible, God willing."
Emphasizing that Türkiye, as a country that stands on its own feet despite many trials and disasters, that has achieved political and economic stability and is continuously growing, continues to be a safe haven in its region, Asmalı stated that the steps taken over the past 21 years have borne fruit and that it has made enormous moves from the defence industry to energy and from health to tourism.
Explaining that as the MÜSİAD family they have contributed to increasing the country's commercial and economic capacity in reaching its great targets, Asmalı expressed that they are aware of how important the cause and the responsibilities they shoulder are.
Underlining that with patience, determination and sincerity they will continue to stand by the state and the nation in this historic period, Asmalı made the following assessment: "The most important thing that will make us strong is that we are one and together. Only if we are 'we' can we bring out our own strength. We must avoid useless work and shed the sweat of our brow for good deeds that will benefit humanity. God willing, we foresee that after the local elections to be held at the end of this month the dynamism in our economy will increase further and that economic problems will thus come to an end permanently."
MÜSİAD Ankara Branch President Hasan Fehmi Yılmaz also said that last year they experienced Ramadan with a great earthquake and that this year they faced a great massacre in Palestine.
Pointing to the great solidarity they have shown for those in need of aid in Gaza, Yılmaz conveyed that they sent 75 thousand food parcels and, for babies on the verge of starving to death, 17 thousand 120 packages of domestic baby food and basic necessities.
Stating that they stand by domestic producers and industrialists in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's calls of "You will carry out domestic and national production, you will not leave Türkiye dependent on abroad", Yılmaz said: "We have become Türkiye's productive force; we have worked hard to increase production, raise employment and boost our exports, and we will continue to work."
