Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hosted by TOBB Turkey-Kosovo Business Forum held in TOBB Twin Towers by the participation of Minister of Development Lütfi Elvan and Kosovo First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Behcet Pacolli.

Delivering the opening speech of the business forum TOBB Vice-President Ender Yorgancılar stated that they had been closely following the processes followed by declaration of independence by Kosovo in 2008 and they also appreciate achieved developments for market economy transition and maintaining macroeconomic stability by swiftly forming legal background.

Stating that as Turkish private sector they are on Kosovo’s side during that period of change, Yorgancılar also said that trading figures between two countries are pleasing but in fact those figures do not reflect real potential.

-Latest situation in trade with Kosovo

Yorgancılar, underlining that thanks to the Kosovo’s import volume of 139 million euro for this year’s January – June period Turkey become third biggest trading partner also said "Turkey is 16^th country within Kosovo's exportation. Our country, following Germany and Switzerland is the third country making largest investment in Kosovo by the total volume of 373 million euro. In addition to that the total amount of projects undertaken by our construction companies in Kosovo is around 1.5 billion euro."

Pointing out that in addition to major infrastructure projects such as airport construction and management, highway constructions, electricity distribution in Kosovo, there are also Turkish investments in many fields such as banking, health and food, Yorgancılar said followings:

"We regard Kosovo-European Union (EU) Partnership and Stability Agreement which became effective on 1^st April 2016 as a highly important step and accordingly we are gladly following these developments. By the agreement becoming effective Kosovo originated products have the change to reach EU markets on zero tariff basis. Therefore we believe that more Turkish firms shall be investing in Kosovo which has become an attractive investment environment. We are encouraging our firms to establish partnerships and make investments in Kosovo. On the other hand, we are aware of the importance of STA agreement signed between Turkey and Kosovo in order to increase bilateral trade volume. Once the STA is being approved Turkish firms shall be able to have more competition power against Serbia and Greece which have similar advantages. As a result of that Kosovans shall have the opportunity to have more quality products with competitive prices."

-Minister of Development Elvan

During his speech Minister of Development Lütfi Elvan stated that Turkey had increased development aids in the last 10 years and also said "The official development aid amount supplied by Turkey actualised as 6.2 billion USD in 2016 whereas in 2015 it was 3.9 billion USD."

Elvan pointing out that Kosovo is a friendly sister country to Turkey as well as a key country for peace and stability in Balkans also said political will required for development of relations between Turkey and Kosovo is available within two countries.

Pointing out that Turkey has proved its strong roots to the world despite the economic crisis which Turkish economy had to go through, Elvan also said that in the last 15 years economy had achieved a big break through, since 2002 constitutional problems had been resolutely addressed for and as a result of that high growth performances had been achieved.

Elvan, by reminding in 2003-2016 period economy has achieved an average 5.7 percent growth, said followings:

"This year we are expecting a growth performance more than 5.5 percent. Most of the leading indication regarding growth refers a positive forecast. When we look at the current indications it is possible to say as of today that we shall be achieving a growth performance well over 5.5 percent which we displayed during Medium-Term Program."

Telling about they had been focusing on Medium-Term Program as well as employment and also already determined fundamental policy areas, Elvan also stated that they were targeting high-tech based production and transformation in the direction of export structure for carrying Turkish economy forward and catch up with developed countries.

Elvan underlined that Turkey’s position as an attraction centre for foreign investments.  Stating that one of Turkey's priority policies within Medium-Term Program is to improve business and investment environment, Elvan also said that accordingly they were aiming to qualified employment through quality investments by speeding up resolution process for domestic and foreign investors.  

Stating that in the last 10 years Turkey also had considerably increased development aids, Elvan said "In 2016 official amount of development aid provided by Turkey has been actualised as 6.2 billion USD whereas in 2015 it was 3.9 billion USD."

- Kosovo First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Pacolli

During his Kosovo First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister that he made herein stated that Turkey regularly left all its doors for Kosovo and said I "Turkey always has been a country supporting newly coming to existence democracy in the Balkans."

Pointing out that Turkey was the first country recognising Kosovo’s independence and leaving its doors open all the time for Kosovo, Pacolli also said "Turkey always has been a country supporting newly coming to existence democracy in the Balkans.”

Underlining that Turkey and Kosovo have many common values and similar mentality, Pacolli continued his speech as "If it is inquired it shall be seen that there are many common bond between us. Turkey displayed a great effort for Kosovo taking its rightful place within international arena. Therefor entire Kosovans profoundly thank Turkey."

Reminding that Kosovo's independency has been recognised by 115 countries and also Kosovo is standing member of United Nations (UN) Pacolli also said that his country at the same time has come to an agreement with World Bank and International Money Fund (IMF).

Pacolli stated that by the effort of business world relations between the two countries shall improve and therefore the life qualities of Turkish and Kosovo nations shall have higher quality and also said that economy instigates people’s lives and creates awareness.

Stating that he is closely monitoring problems experienced by the businessmen also said that in order to avoid carried out agreements maintaining on paper he always tries to attend business meetings.