In his speech at the Bosnia and Herzegovina-Turkey Business Forum, which he attended in Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Erdoğan said, “We will be one, we will be big, we will be alive, we will be brothers and we will set off by saying 'Everything is for Bosnia and Herzegovina'. Because as you know, there are people everywhere who try their best to divide us. We should not give them a chance.” He used his expressions
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the trade volume between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey reached 8 million dollars in 15 months of this year, with an increase of 627 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. We expect to exceed the $2022 billion trade volume target, which we have come very close to this year.” said.
Noting that this year they realized the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where there are historical, cultural and humanitarian ties, President Erdoğan said that economic and commercial relations constitute an important pillar of the bilateral relations that are excellent in all fields.
Stating that economic and commercial relations not only strengthen ties between countries, but also lay the groundwork for stability and peace, especially in this region, President Erdoğan said that DEIK and DEIK Bosnia and Herzegovina, which successfully carry out trade and diplomacy activities in this direction and strive to carry Turkey's entrepreneurial spirit abroad, Congratulations to the Business Council.
Underlining that the Republic of Turkey always attaches special importance to relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Erdoğan continued as follows:
“Our Bosnia and Herzegovina policy has always been sincere, objective, embracing and unifying. In this geography, where different ethnic and religious groups have to live together, ethnic and religious divisions will yield no results other than pain and tears. We see clearly with the events taking place in various parts of the world that conflicts and tensions do not benefit any side. Avoiding divisive discourses in the process leading up to the elections is important for the peace and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as for its economy and internal peace. We clearly and unequivocally emphasize that we support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
“We are pleased with the increasing level of our trade and investments”
Pointing out that they had very productive and eye-opening consultations with their counterparts from Bosnia and Herzegovina this morning, President Erdoğan stated the following regarding the talks:
“Of course, we also discussed the economic and commercial relations between the two countries during our meetings. Of course, we are pleased with the increasing level of our trade and investments. However, we also know that there is a potential for further development of our trade, given the close relations between the two countries. We also discussed what can be done to speed up the construction of the Bosnia and Herzegovina section of the Sarajevo-Belgrade Highway Project, the first phase of which we laid in 2019. You know, we see this as a peace project that will connect not only countries but also people with a vision of a prosperous future.”
Mentioning that the Free Trade Agreement, which was updated to include services and public procurement, entered into force on August 1, 2021, there has been a significant increase in the trade volume with Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Erdoğan said:
“Our trade volume in the 8 months of this year increased by 15 percent compared to the same period of the previous year and amounted to 627 million dollars. We hope that this performance will continue in the coming months, and by the end of 2022, we expect to exceed the 1 billion dollar trade volume target that we approached last year. Our companies have significant investments in sectors such as industry, infrastructure, housing, touristic facilities, power plants, and health. The total investment amount of our companies, which contribute to the production, employment and development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has approached 300 million dollars. This figure does not include the modernization and facility improvement investments they have made after their arrival and the investment aids of official institutions. When these are added, the total figure reaches 1 billion dollars.”
President Erdoğan said, “We will be one, we will be big, we will be alive, we will be brothers and we will start off by saying 'Everything is for Bosnia and Herzegovina'. Because as you know, there are people everywhere who try their best to divide us. We should not give them a chance. Descendants of the wise person Aliye, we should not let this happen.” said.
President Erdoğan stated that Ziraat Bank, which has established a strong network with 32 branches in the country, Şişecam Soda and Natron Hayat factories, which are among the top exporting companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina every year, and many small and medium-sized companies operating in various sectors, are located between the two countries. He said that he played an important role in moving the economic relations forward.
Expressing that companies operating in the field of contracting in Bosnia and Herzegovina have implemented projects worth 1 billion dollars to date, President Erdoğan said:
“Recently, the interest of our technical consultancy firms in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been increasing. We think it will be beneficial to focus on agriculture and tourism for the upcoming period. The increase in the volume of these projects, which we see as symbols of a win-win-based policy, will also encourage Turkish business circles. In this meeting, where there are around 200 business people as of now, I especially request from you, as a President, that our business people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, both from Turkey and from Bosnia and Herzegovina, should invest in investments. If these lands are yours, if we are guests on these lands, let's make investments here and raise Bosnia and Herzegovina together. We are also aware of some of the challenges faced by our entrepreneurs who invest and establish companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We share these difficulties with our interlocutors at every opportunity, and we discuss how we can solve the problems within the framework of mutual goodwill. We also benefit from high-level mechanisms such as the Tripartite Trade Committee and the Joint Economic Commission in order to ensure that the strong bond between our country is reflected in our commercial relations at the highest level in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
“I believe that it will provide all kinds of convenience to Turkish investors”
Stating that they found it beneficial to hold the Fourth Term Meeting of the Turkey-Serbia-Bosnia-Herzegovina Trilateral Trade Committee this year, President Erdoğan noted that he believed that the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the business world would provide all kinds of convenience to Turkish investors who act with a win-win approach.
Wishing that the meetings and contacts established at this meeting will yield successful results, President Erdoğan said:
“We laid the groundwork for this highway, especially between Belgrade and Sarajevo, to start and finish as soon as possible, but unfortunately that day has been standing still today. Now it is said that the loan has been secured. It was mentioned that there was a problem with Ziraat Bank. I also tell Ziraat Bank General Manager, I'm seeing him right now. I gave the necessary instructions and Ziraat Bank will take the step of this contractor company and start its work by giving the necessary support in this regard. Because we have no time to lose. We want these steps to be taken before the election to be held on October 2019nd. Let Bosnia and Herzegovina have such an important highway. I would like to underline once again that we are and will be with Bosnia and Herzegovina in almost every field.”
President Erdoğan stated that his wish is to improve the stability environment in the country, that more investors will volunteer to do business here, that trade will increase, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina will have a good position in world trade.
“We should not give them a chance”
Emphasizing that he has a request from business people, President Erdoğan said:
“We will be one, we will be big, we will be alive, we will be brothers and we will start off by saying 'Everything is for Bosnia and Herzegovina'. Because as you know, there are people everywhere who try their best to divide us. We should not give them a chance. Descendants of the wise person Aliye, we must not let this happen. All of us, all together, have to take this step with an effort and continue on our way. Concluding my words with these thoughts, I once again congratulate those who contributed to the organization of the Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina Business Forum. I would like to thank each and every one of you individually for your participation, love, enthusiasm and conversation. I greet you with love and respect. Stay well.”
President Erdoğan, Chairman of the Presidential Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Şefik Caferovic, Bosnian member of the Presidential Council of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Peoples Assembly Bakir Izetbegovic, Turkish delegation and business representatives attended the Bosnia and Herzegovina-Turkey Business Forum.
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