Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat stated that they continue to strengthen economic independence with determination, with the strength they receive from the spirit of July 15, and said, "We are working determinedly to make the Turkish Century the century of production, trade, exports, entrepreneurship and economic development." he said.
In the message he published on the occasion of "July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day", Bolat stated that on the night of July 15, 2016, the nation eliminated the multi-dimensional invasion attempt directed at Türkiye's independence, democracy, economy and future.
Stating that the attempt carried out by the FETO terrorist organization aimed to stop Türkiye's rise and condemn the country to the control of tutelage centers, Bolat emphasized that the nation wrote an epic in history in golden letters.
Pointing out that July 15 was the definitive victory of the national will against tutelage, Bolat said, "The victory won that night is not only the prevention of a coup attempt, but also the declaration that the Republic of Turkey will live free forever and that this nation will never compromise on its independence and future." made his assessment.
"Our business world continued to invest"
Bolat underlined that Türkiye's production power, investment environment, exports, trade, financial system and economic independence are among the direct targets of the treacherous attack and said:
"The aim was to shake confidence in the economy, stop production, disrupt investments, alienate international capital from Türkiye and interrupt our country's development march. The Turkish lira lost approximately 6.3 percent of its value in just one week. It was recorded as one of the sharpest fluctuations in foreign exchange markets after the 2008 global financial crisis. On the first day of trading at Borsa Istanbul, the BIST 100 Index decreased by approximately 7.1 percent. In the first three weeks, the stock markets "There was a foreign capital outflow of 617.3 million dollars. Türkiye's 5-year CDS premium, which is an international risk indicator, increased from approximately 220 basis points to 275 basis points. The decisions of credit rating agencies also put additional pressure on external financing costs."
Stating that the uncertainty in the economy was also reflected in foreign trade, Bolat reminded that in July 2016, exports decreased by 23.6 percent compared to the previous month, reaching 10.3 billion dollars, and imports decreased by 23.8 percent, falling to 15.1 billion dollars.
Bolat stated that tourism revenues decreased by 29.6 percent to 26.5 billion dollars in 2016, and the number of foreign visitors decreased by 24.6 percent to 31.4 million people, and added: "While the Turkish economy contracted by 0.7 percent in the third quarter of 2016, the unemployment rate increased to 10.9 percent." he said.
Pointing out that the markets regained stability in a very short time with the coordination of economic institutions and the solid structure of the financial system, Bolat said, "Turkish industrialists did not interrupt production, our exporters did not disrupt their orders, our tradesmen did not close their shutters, our farmers continued to produce, and our business world continued to invest." made his assessment.
"Our nation protected Türkiye's future"
Bolat emphasized that today Türkiye is a strong state that produces, exports, attracts investments, increases its effectiveness in global trade, has a say in its region and the world, and can manage international crises.
Stating that Türkiye is a great country that is taking firm steps towards its Türkiye Century goals in every field, from defense industry to energy, from technology to logistics, from industry to trade, Bolat said:
"As the Ministry of Commerce, we continue to support production, increase our exports, strengthen the investment environment, make our trade more competitive and further strengthen our economic independence, with the strength we draw from the spirit of July 15. We are working with determination to make the Turkish Century the century of production, trade, exports, entrepreneurship and economic development. That night, our nation preserved its economic independence, production power and Türkiye's future. The State of the Republic of Turkey, its deep-rooted institutions, strong economy, production capability, export potential and our President "Under the leadership of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, it has the power to eliminate all kinds of threats in the future, as in the past."