The Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD) held its Heads of Diplomatic Missions Iftar Programme, which it has made traditional on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, this year with the participation of more than 60 diplomats from 45 different countries.

The MÜSİAD Iftar Programme with the Heads of Diplomatic Missions was held this year at the MÜSİAD Head Office with the participation of President Mahmut Asmalı, MÜSİAD Board of Directors Members and more than 60 ambassadors, consuls general and commercial attachés from 45 different countries.

Speaking at the iftar programme, President Mahmut Asmalı talked about the importance of the month of Ramadan for Muslims and condemned the terrorist attack that took place in the city of Moscow in Russia. Touching also on the oppression experienced in Gaza since October, Asmalı denounced the genocide and the human rights violations taking place in Gaza.

Asmalı continued his remarks as follows:

“I once again denounce the genocide taking place in Gaza and strongly reject the occupation and discrimination policies against Palestinians and the violations of human rights. We regard the latest resolution of the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages as a belated ray of hope.”

We Seek New Export Markets

Speaking at the iftar programme, President Mahmut Asmalı talked about the breakthroughs Türkiye has achieved in recent years and emphasized our country's competitive and high-quality production power, the technical infrastructure it possesses and its qualified workforce.

President Asmalı continued his remarks as follows: “As MÜSİAD, through the trade diplomacy we conduct, we seek new export markets so that our exports are on a permanent and sustainable rise and so that we become a country running a foreign trade surplus. As you know, our country ranks third among the countries with the most widespread diplomatic network in global terms. We too, as MÜSİAD, are intensively continuing our trade diplomacy activities in order to develop the cooperation between us and to take our commercial relations further forward. Within this framework we organize international business forums, fairs and business trips. Türkiye, an island of stability, is increasing day by day its quality of being a centre of attraction with its proximity to energy resources, its position at the crossroads of strategic trade routes and its strong logistics hubs. With your support as well, we believe that in the coming years we will take our commercial relations to a much better point.”

It Is Difficult to Reach Economic Goals Without Global Peace

Speaking at MÜSİAD's iftar for foreign heads of mission, MÜSİAD President Mahmut Asmalı emphasized the crisis environments in the world and the region and expressed that it is difficult to build a healthy economic system without establishing global peace. Stating that they prepare the ground for a climate of peace at every opportunity by conducting trade diplomacy and bilateral cooperation, Asmalı said that through MÜSİAD's international work they contribute to Türkiye's humanitarian foreign policy. President Asmalı said, “Without regional and global peace being established, it is hardly possible to reach sound economic goals. We voice on every platform the crimes against humanity committed by Israel in Gaza. All the crimes are being committed openly before the eyes of the international community. God willing, the month of Ramadan we are in will be an occasion for the problem to be resolved and the oppression being experienced will end in a short time.” President Asmalı also emphasized that MÜSİAD effectively implements multi-track diplomacy through its international work.

Dynamism in the Economy Will Increase After the Local Elections

In his speech at the programme, President Asmalı said, “As MÜSİAD, which carries out its activities in the capacity of a civil trade diplomacy actor, we would like to reiterate our belief that the production-, export- and employment-oriented growth process of our country's economy will continue.” Stating that Türkiye's economic indicators have settled on a positive footing, Asmalı said that they expect dynamism in the economy to increase after the local elections to be held at the end of the month.