Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Van Kapıköy Customs Gate opening was conducted with the attendances of Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Van Governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez, Islamic Republic of Iran Khoy Governor Mohammed Abedi and the region’s businessmen. In his speech at the opening ceremony, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are taking a step which would more strongly connect Van and Turkey with Iran and Asia, to bring these lands more prosperity and wealth. “We are proud and happy in the name of our country and our business world. This is the basic rule of economy. If there is trade, there is money. If there is money, there is wealth. If there is wealth, there is peace. Here, we acted with this vision; aiming to turn the trade routes back to this region again. With Kapıköy Border Gate, we are one step closer to this goal. We have achieved a first in the world with the positive approach and approval of our government.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they started to modernize the land customs gates with a build-operate-transfer model and costing not a single penny to the state. At modernized gates, waiting times were decreased by half. “To date, we have modernized 10 customs gates with the most modern technology and brought them into the service of our country. As the Chamber-Exchange community, we invested 1.39 billion TRY in these gates. So we saved the state from spending that much money. From the revenue obtained from these gates, we paid 605 million TRY in taxes to the government.”

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu reporting that they’ve invested 112 million TRY into the Kapıköy Customs Gate, said, “We have equipped it with the latest technology x-ray, camera and access systems. Kapıköy and Van's 50-year dream will be realized. Van will regain its former glory, become rich; a trade and tourism center. Van Shopping Fest will grow; participation in fairs in Van will increase. This is the gateway of Anatolia to Asia, and Asia to Anatolia. We will also begin to meet, talk and work with our Iranian brothers more.”

- Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan

Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan pointed out that trade is the basis of wealth all over the world. “Our mission is to remove the barriers to trade. We aim to ensure fast trade at customs. The safer and faster our customs are, the faster we will be able to trade and grow. We attach great importance to the modernization of the land border gates with Iran. We will start the modernization of our Gürbulak border gate as soon as possible.”

Pekcan Minister, stating that Kapıköy Customs Gate is also Turkey’s gateway to Asia, said, “Kapıköy Customs Gate will offer a special contribution to the development of Van's tourism and trade.” Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, urged the Governor of the Hoy region for the road on the opposite side to be completed as soon as possible. Pekcan said, “We are ready to move on to a one-stop system with Iran. Vehicles will stand at one point and share information for both parties. Increasing the welfare of the countries depends on the active work of these gates.” Minister Pekcan emphasized that they attach importance to digitalization in customs and paper-free customs practices.

- GTİ Board Chairman Arif Parmaksız

Customs and Tourism Enterprises Co. Inc. (GTİ) Chairman of the Board of Directors Arif Parmaksız said that they have already provided 11 facilities to the service of the Ministry and said that they continue to work on new projects. Parmaksız stated that Kapıköy Customs Gate will increase trade and contribute to the prosperity of both countries.