Trade Minister Bolat Speaks at Türkiye-Chile Business Forum

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat stated that Chile is Turkey's fourth largest trade partner in Latin America, saying, "In 2021, our foreign trade volume exceeded 1 billion dollars. One of the promising areas in our current trade with Chile is our close cooperation in the defense industry. Turkish defense industry companies have already signed some contracts in Chile regarding procurement and joint production."

 
Turkey–Chile Business Forum Meeting was held at the DEİK headquarters with the participation of Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto van Klaveren and Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) President Nail Olpak. During the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Ömer Bolat and Alberto van Klaveren.
 
In his speech, Minister Bolat stated that the event highlighted the strong economic and trade relations between Chile and Turkey, and said that although the two countries may appear geographically distant, when we look at the data and facts, they are in fact very close, friendly countries.
 
Reminding that Chile was the first Latin American country to recognize the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1926, Bolat said, "Next year, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this diplomatic relationship. At the same time, Chile is the first Latin American country with which Turkey has signed a Free Trade Agreement."
 
Bolat recalled that Turkey has a Customs Union Agreement with the European Union, and stated, "Among our 23 free trade agreements, Chile occupies a unique position as the Latin American country with which Turkey has signed a Free Trade Agreement."
 
Pointing out that, in terms of bilateral trade and investment relations, Chile is Turkey's fourth largest trade partner in Latin America, Bolat said, "In 2021, our foreign trade volume exceeded 1 billion dollars. One of the promising areas in our current foreign trade is our close cooperation in the defense industry. Turkish defense industry companies have already signed some contracts in Chile regarding procurement and joint production."
 
- "THY's flights to Santiago will help raise business relations to higher levels"
 
Minister Bolat noted that in the last 22 years Turkey's national income has increased approximately five and a half times, reminding that 22 years ago the national income was 230 billion dollars whereas last year it reached 1 trillion 322 billion dollars.
 
Stating that goods and services exports, which were 50 billion dollars 22 years ago, rose to 377 billion dollars last year, an increase of seven and a half times, Bolat said, "So every year we are increasing our goods and services exports. Among our services exports, I would especially like to mention Turkish TV series. Today, with an audience of 1 billion people daily worldwide, Turkish series are known around the globe. I would like to especially thank Chilean viewers. This soft power strengthens the friendship and closeness between the two nations. This will also increase bilateral trade in goods and services."
 
Minister of Trade Bolat recalled that last December Turkish Airlines launched flights four days a week between Istanbul and Santiago, saying, "This will also contribute to raising business relations to even higher levels."
 
- "As Turkey, we have always stood in favor of foreign trade and international trade"
 
Minister Bolat stated that international trade is going through very difficult times and that we are in a period in which protectionism between countries is increasing, and said that as Turkey, they have always been in favor of foreign trade and international trade.
 
Bolat said, "We have a customs union with the European Union, and 23 free trade agreements. We also see that Chile is open to foreign trade and to free, international trade. Therefore, we must remain calm and cautious, and continue to protect free trade around the world. Because it makes an important contribution to our countries' gross national product by increasing investments, production, taxes and foreign exchange revenues. I hope that today's meeting will help businesspeople from two friendly countries discover new opportunities and increase bilateral trade. Increasing trade between our countries is our most important duty."
 
- A memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation and experience sharing was signed
 
Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attaches great importance to the development of relations with Chile, and that he visited Chile twice, both as Prime Minister and as President.
 
Emphasizing that they would sign a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation and experience sharing, Bolat said, "I hope this will also contribute to a further increase in our bilateral trade."

Source: https://ticaret.gov.tr/haberler/ticaret-bakani-bolat-turkiye-sili-is-forumunda-konustu?utm_source