Media

The Dutch-Turkish (trade) relations are of great importance. This is acknowledged in the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) when the book ‘400 years of official relations between Turkeye and the Netherlands’ is handed over to Jan Klink.

Dutch export is about 5 BLN. Many Dutch entrepreneurs are already active in Turkiye – and vice versa. A good conversation between Jan Klink (liberal VVD) and Ethem Emre, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Turkiye foundation, took place (16-11) about how trade can be facilitated even better.

To be continued.

Entrepreneurs are under pressure because of the lacking of available human capital, affordable energy sources and reliable supply chains. Read article ‘The grass (and gas) is cheaper across the border’ published in MKB Rotterdam Rijnmond magazine (SterkR) sent to 14,000 companies/entrepreneurs in the region Rotterdam.

Cheaper production of the same (or better) quality is a plus, especially in times of high energy prices and less reliable supply chains. That is why a group of Dutch producers travels to Turkiye every year. About 3000 Dutch companies are already established there.

Turkiye keeps Dutch companies fit and vital. Why? Because more and more sectors are subject to growth ceilings, because the stretch is out, or because of a shortage of (labour) resources. Subsequently, entrepreneurs are seeking partners internationally.

The explosion in gas prices in the Netherlands has made some Agri-fresh growers decide to leave the greenhouses empty this winter. Other sectors in Western Europe are also considering scaling down productions, which will affect related sectors in the Netherlands. It encourages entrepreneurs to roll out sustainable strategies.

What kind of entrepreneurs will join the delegation of CCNT at the end of October 2022? Fruit & vegetables, logistics, engineering/components and an entrepreneur from the furniture/interior industry. Other sectors will be facilitated later in a separate trade mission.

The success of the previous trade mission resulted in relevant contacts, contracts and even national attention on Turkish TV. Please note: let yourself be guided by a Dutch-speaking, local trade expert with an office in Istanbul or Rotterdam.

Article written by Peter Wolters, vice-chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands – Turkiye foundation. Also sparring partner sustainability, digitization and international positioning.

Read SterkR magazine, page 21.

Apple products are not for sale in Turkish web shops (Nov. 2021). Due to the fall of the Turkish lira, local prices are suddenly 10% lower than those in the US. The lira has already fallen 45% this year. The national Dutch financial journal (Financieel Dagblad – FD) asked the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Turkey foundation…

The chairman of the foundation says that it is not a disaster scenario. Ethem Emre: ‘Turkey has gone through a crisis before and then has recovered, the country is resilient.” He cites that in October, the World Bank revised its growth forecast for Turkey’s gross domestic product upwards. The forecast now stands at 8.5%.

A salesperson told Reuters news agency that due to inflation, consumers view electronics not only as a commodity, but also as an investment.

Read the full article.

Turkish TV broadcasted the Dutch trade mission of the CCNT foundation. The TRT Haber (Turkish ‘NOS’) nicely presented the Dutch fruit & vegetable producers/investors in their media.

With this initiative, the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands-Turkey Foundation has exhibited Dutch companies to potential Turkish trading partners.

Translation of Turkish TV newsreader:

“In Antalya, the local produce fair ‘Yörex’ has opened its doors to its visitors for the 11th time, 18 October 2021. The host facilitated an important gathering between Dutch companies from the fresh fruit and vegetable sector and their business partners.

Formerly known as the Silk Road, now known as the ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) formed by China, the Netherlands as the most famous country in the agricultural sector of Europe and Turkey with its excellent trading position in terms of geographical position met in Antalya to further develop a trade volume of more than 20 billion per year.

Dutch business people met their partners on location at Turkish products and also visited Yörex, the local products fair.

Ethem Emre, chairman of the Netherlands-Turkey Chamber of Commerce foundation: “With the aim of explaining agriculture in Turkey to producers, exporters and importers from the Netherlands, we came here with 11 companies.”

Fred van der Weijde, board member of the Chamber of Commerce: “It is a great organization here and we are very happy to be here. What beautiful products they have. And everybody is interested. Now we are doing everything to work together. We expect good results.”

Anton Filippo, trade participant: “To be invited for the first time, I don’t have much experience in Turkey, but my first impression is: fantastic! There are many opportunities for us Dutch companies in this area of ​​Turkey. I see myself coming back very soon.”

The intention is that cooperation between Turkey and the Netherlands will continue and that Turkey’s products will become a trademark in Europe.”

Visits to local companies were organised by the chamber to greenhouses with an impressive 200 HA among which in Isparta, Antalya and surroundings including Fineke (citrus; bananas; capsicum/peppers; tomatoes; potatoes). Textile and IT companies were also on the B2B matching program in Istanbul and Denizli.

Interested in a next trade mission? Contact info [at] kvknederlandturkije.nl.

More than 70 travel organizations call on the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately adjust the travel advice and to distinguish between vaccinated travelers and other travelers.

A country will then receive a yellow or green travel advice if you have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid. This is already happening for countries within the EU and it is high time that this is also applied outside the EU, according to the travel sector.

Current travel advice dates from the time when there were no vaccines and is outdated. Current travel advice does not take into account the protective effect of vaccination and incorrectly informs travelers. The Dutch have the right to up-to-date, fair and reliable travel advice. The current incorrect travel advice is also causing great damage to the sector. This is especially culpable now that the corona support has been discontinued as of October 1.

The CCNT endorses this initiative since well informed, responsible, healthy travelling facilitates international trade.

View Dutch NOS TV

Contact initiator lawsuit: Joshua van Eijndhoven – rechtszaak@voja.travel

Dutch direct foreign investments are apparently known in Turkey. The ‘Turkish ANP’ Anadulu Agency published a news overview about current Dutch participations in, among other sectors, renewable energy, agri sector and regional development.

The Chamber of Commerce foundation was asked to provide an evaluation of priorities and current Dutch investments in Turkey, which Anadulu Agency in turn interpreted and published.

….read more

At one point, the Turkish currency was worth less and less against the dollar and the euro. But importers and exporters notice little of this.

In the long run, however, the low lira will provide a competitive advantage for Turkish exporters. The FD asked Turkey stakeholders, including the Chamber of Commerce foundation, for their expertise and opinion.