‘TRNC must change economic policies’
NORTH Cyprus must drop “protectionist” economic policies if it is to become a country that “produces and exports”, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Murat Başçeri has said.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (Müsiad) Mr Başceri said that there are “many structural problems that need to be overcome in the TRNC”.
The difficulties posed by an “economic structure predominantly based on the service sector” have been “experienced by all” during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Başçeri said.
“Facts such as the lack of a healthy economic structure, the inability to be self-sufficient, obstacles to investing and the public’s increasing economic burden further increases the importance of developing the production and manufacturing sector in the TRNC,” he stated.
Mr Başceri said that during the “new normal” period, the importance of increasing exports, production, and strengthening the manufacturing sector have come to light once again.
He continued: “The fact that a comprehensive industrial strategy model has not yet been established in the TRNC, the implementation of daily policies, the inadequacy of current legislation, the inability to standardise inspections and penalties, and the failure to remove obstacles to investment . . . have all caused underdevelopment of the manufacturing sector.
“Unfortunately, this situation is also a result of the continuing protectionist economic mentality in the TRNC. This mentality definitely needs to change.
“Our [Turkey’s] financial and technical support will continue to increase. . . Now is the time to say new things. . . During such a period of change, the support of entrepreneurs like you is more important than ever before.
“The public and private sectors will be able to achieve this change together, which in turn will create more employment through investment.
“As Turkey, we will continue to increase our financial and technical support to all relevant sectors to achieve the goal of a TRNC that produces and exports.”
Mr Başceri pointed out that the TRNC’s “Organised Industrial Zones” have become a “tangled mess of problems”.
The Organised Industrial Zones’ legislation should be “reformed to meet current conditions” he said.
“Changing the current understanding of Organised Industrial Zones to a mindset where production is predominant for export will create many new cooperation opportunities,” Mr Başceri said.
“I would like to reiterate once again that we will always support the steps to be taken for this purpose.
“Because I believe that the TRNC will benefit from the entrepreneurial spirit and creative approaches of the private sector, along with the wealth of experience and knowledge in the Organized Industrial Zones in [Turkey].
“While our brothers and sisters are making every effort to ensure the existence of Turks in these lands, I sincerely believe that this economic union to be formed between Turkey and the TRNC will carry your efforts for a prosperous future to the desired goal.”