Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat spoke at the TESKOMB Chairman's Conference.
Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat said, “We reached 148 billion liras from traders' loans in 10.5 months this year. This is a 46% increase compared to last year's figure. The support given to traders this year really reached this high figure thanks to the great efforts of our government.” he said.
The meeting of the Presidents of the Union of Credit and Guarantee Cooperative Unions of Turkish Merchants and Craftsmen (TESKOMB) was held at the hotel in Belek Tourism Center in Antalya.
In his speech at the meeting, Bolat said that they are studying import and export regulations in foreign trade, on the one hand, strengthening trade in domestic trade, improving merchants and companies, as well as developing the economy.
Emphasizing that they are working with all stakeholders to grow and develop Türkiye, Bolat said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has worked hard to develop and strengthen merchants and minimize problems since the day he came to power.
Stating that Türkiye has made history in foreign policy, Bolat said:
“The economy is a whole. Internal peace, security, political stability, strong governance, leadership, economic reforms, breakthroughs, growth and development of the economy make all sectors of society, including farmers, traders, workers, civil servants, small and medium enterprises, industrialists, pensioners and people with disabilities, happy and provide better conditions. Therefore, we are a government that works day and night for all in all our areas of work. As the People's Union, we have been in Türkiye for 10 years.” “We are fighting hard for peace, stability, defeating terrorism and preventing even one fingernail of our citizens from being harmed at a time when geopolitical tensions, wars, trade wars and protectionism are increasing in the world. After 22 years, Türkiye has truly risen to a very good position in the world.”
Minister Bolat stated that today the traders and their families have a population of 10 million people.
“WE REACHED 148 BILLION LIRAS IN TRADE LOANS”
Bolat said they always assess the needs of traders and always support them.
“Hopefully, the 50% support loan for traders that we have reduced to 25% at the beginning of the new year, the reduction of interest rates on Halk Bank loans and the reduction of financing costs will be studied and applied at the beginning of the new year. Good luck.” Bolat continued his words as follows:
“Second, as you know, for commercial vehicles, the upper limit for tradesmen's loans has increased to 2.5 million liras. As a new practice, the upper limit for machinery purchases has also increased to 2.5 million liras. Third, and what everyone is eagerly waiting for, we have reached 148 billion liras for tradesmen's loans in 10.5 months this year. This is a 46% increase compared to the figure of last year. Indeed, the support of traders this year is a great support from our government.” “With their efforts, they have achieved this high number, but our friends also said that there are many pending applications. Hopefully these pending applications will be taken off the shelves by Halk Bank before December 31 and necessary actions will be taken.”
Reminding that last year there was a one-year delay in invoicing activities when granting loans to traders, Bolat said that this year the traders have also received such requests.
Explaining that they are addressing this issue, Bolat said: “We have seen in the studies carried out in the past that our merchants need a little more time. We would like to thank the Ministry of Finance and Treasury as well as our President. The practice of 30% invoicing, which will be implemented since the beginning of this year, is being postponed for another year. Our Ministry of Finance and Finance has sent the decision to our President. I hope it will be issued shortly. Good luck.” he said.
Minister Bolat emphasized that despite all the negatives such as the stagnant world economy, regional wars, increasing trade wars and the February 6 earthquake, the government continues to work for traders, farmers, civil servants and all walks of life.
Reminding that they came together with the merchants at the same meeting last year and gave important news there, Bolat said, “In each of our major meetings, we consult with you on how to take our merchants further and we present requests from you to serve and benefit our merchants by promoting maximum possibilities within the budget. I hope we will not stop from now on.” Now, we will continue to walk together.” he said.
Explaining that they also provide important support to cooperatives, Bolat said:
“Remember, we increased support for the purchase of machinery, equipment and furniture from 400 thousand lira to 1 million lira. We increased support for participation in exhibitions and fairs from 60 thousand lira to 150 thousand lira. To support the employment of qualified personnel, we increased it to 266 thousand lira annually for one employee and to 532 thousand lira annually for two employees, and we introduced the opportunity Support mechanism can be provided up to 100% of the project amount based on HİB. “We never leave our cooperatives alone, just like we think about the traders.”
“We are a merchant-friendly government, we are in power. First of all, our President, who is a master of merchants, most of our cabinet members and deputies are people from merchants, people whose fathers were merchants, including me. We are proud of this,” said Bolat, who wanted to compare the support between the period before the AK Party government and today. he said.
THE NUMBER OF TRADERS INCREASED TO 2 MILLION 300 THOUSAND
Bolat emphasized that the number of traders has increased from 1 million 300 thousand to 2 million 300 thousand since the AK Party government came to power.
Stating that in the past five years, despite all negative developments such as the global epidemic, the Russia-Ukraine War, the energy crisis, earthquakes and economic recession in the world, 1 million 585 thousand merchants opened new businesses, Bolat said, on the other hand, 585 thousand closed.
Stating that they provide support in energy, electricity and natural gas, Bolat said, “There are 56 countries in Europe. The country that provides electricity and natural gas at the lowest cost to its citizens in Europe is Türkiye and our government.” he said.
Explaining that the minimum wage was excluded from taxes during the AK Party government, Bolat said that they have always supported the people and provided appropriate services.
Minister Bolat added that over the past 23 years, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has undergone revolutionary transformation and rise in many fields, from economics to trade, from diplomacy to social state policy, from science to technology and growth.
