‘Old Türkiye is gone’: Turkish trade minister counters TUSIAD’s controversial remarks

Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat pushed back against recent remarks by Omer Aras, the chairman of the High Advisory Council of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD).

“The old Türkiye is gone. No one can dictate politics or the government by wagging their finger after significantly growing their business using state resources,” Bolat stated.

Speaking on Saturday at the Century of Commerce Conference, organized by the Turkish Parliamentarians Association, Bolat addressed the controversy surrounding Aras’s statement, which sparked debate.

“We have witnessed TUSIAD, a business organization that seems nostalgic for the old Türkiye, attempting to re-enter the political stage after years of diminishing influence,” Bolat said.

“This appears to be an effort to support their favored opposition parties and reclaim a role in politics.”

“Under the leadership of our president, the era of trying to steer the country through external or internal tutelage, from luxurious mansions or boardrooms, is over. For 22 years, this country has been successfully governed by the children of the people,” he added.

On Feb. 13, TUSIAD High Advisory Council Chairman Omer Aras commented on recent legal proceedings involving politicians, businesspeople, and journalists, asserting that the process was unfair.

Referring to the hotel fire tragedy at Bolu’s Kartalkaya ski resort, he said: “The system must have a self-correction mechanism. Those responsible should leave office, be held accountable, and be replaced by competent people.”

The next day, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation against him, citing attempts to influence the fair trials and spread false information that could disrupt public order.

Target for Turkish exports by 2028

Bolat also spoke about his recent four-day visit to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, where he led a public-private sector delegation to strengthen trade ties with the three countries.

He noted that Türkiye set a new historical record in merchandise exports in 2024, reaching $262 billion. “As of January 2025, the ratio of exports to imports has risen to 75.9% over the past 12 months,” Bolat said. “With our long-term strategy in place, we aim to reach $375.4 billion in merchandise exports by 2028.”

Bolat also highlighted Türkiye’s growing international presence in the construction sector, noting that Turkish companies have undertaken more than 12,461 projects in 137 countries, exceeding $533.8 billion in total value. “While the country’s foreign direct investment inflow stood at just $13.99 billion until 2002, it surged to $272.12 billion between 2002 and 2024,” he added.