TİM Holds Conference with Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

TİM Holds Conference with Dubai Multichommodities Centre Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), the umbrella organization of 61 exporter associations representing 27 sectors and over 100,000 exporters, held the "UAE (Dubai) Free Zone Investment Opportunities and Business Cooperation Conference" on Thursday, 10 March 2022 at the Istanbul Foreign Trade Complex with the Dubai Multichommodities Centre (DMCC). TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle: "The rapprochement in diplomatic relations is gratifying for us as the export family. In line with principles of living together in peace, building stronger commercial and economic relations with countries in the region with which we share a common history and culture will bring mutual gains." The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) held the "UAE (Dubai) Free Zone Investment Opportunities and Business Cooperation Conference" on Thursday, 10 March at the Istanbul Foreign Trade Complex with Dubai Multichommodities Centre (DMCC), one of the Middle East's important trade hubs. Hosted by TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, the conference addressing opportunities at DMCC was attended by DMCC Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ahmet Sultan Bin Sulayem and Turkish Business Council Chairman for UAE Dubai and Northern Emirates Fatma Nilgün Emrem. Following opening remarks by TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, DMCC Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ahmet Sultan Bin Sulayem, and Turkish Business Council Chairman for UAE Dubai and Northern Emirates Fatma Nilgün Emrem, DMCC Free Zone Representative Mohammed Al Falasi delivered a presentation to participants. After the technical presentation, a panel titled "Investment Opportunities at the Middle East's Leading Trade Centre" was held featuring speakers DMCC Commodities and Financial Services Director Sanjeev Dutta, Tamimi Consulting Founder Tariq Tamimi, and DMCC Free Zone Representative Mohammed Al Falasi. The panellists then answered questions from participants. In his opening remarks at the conference, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle noted that through this conference they would evaluate opportunities at DMCC, a genuine trade centre with over 20,000 member companies, 2 million square metres of investment area, structured according to modern global trade requirements.

"UAE Has Achieved Strong Structure Through Investments"

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that the United Arab Emirates had directed its wealth towards investments and achieved a major transformation in its economy, stated: "The UAE is an important country in our region commercially, politically and economically. The Emirates has achieved a very strong structure today through investments in trade, tourism, education and service sectors."

Export Family Pleased with Development of Relations with UAE

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, two major players in the region, have recorded significant developments in bilateral relations recently, particularly in the economy, stated: "I wish to express that the development of diplomatic relations is gratifying for us as the export family. Building stronger commercial and economic relations with countries in the region with which we share a common history and culture, in line with principles of living together in peace, will bring mutual gains."

Turkey's Exports to United Arab Emirates Reached USD 5.5 Billion with 95% Increase

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, emphasizing the commercial relations between the UAE and Turkey contain great potential, shared export figures realized between the two countries last year. Turkey's exports to the United Arab Emirates reached USD 5.5 billion with a 95% increase in 2021, while United Arab Emirates exports to Turkey reached USD 2.5 billion in 2021. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle said: "This strong growth momentum will undoubtedly accelerate further. The 10 separate agreements signed between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates on 24 November are extremely important. As a result of these agreements, we have gained access to a valuable platform where we can develop cooperation in energy, petrochemicals, technology, transport, infrastructure, health, financial services, food and agriculture."

Commercial Relations with UAE Moving into New Period

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that they visited the UAE with a comprehensive delegation under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 14 February, stated: "During our visit, where we received excellent hospitality, 13 additional agreements were signed between the two countries in critical areas such as health, climate, industry, technology and agriculture. As the Turkish Exporters Assembly, during the same period we conducted our first physical trade delegation post-pandemic to the United Arab Emirates. The delegation saw over 100 exporters from 22 sectors conduct over 500 bilateral business meetings with representatives of over 300 companies from the United Arab Emirates."

"DMCC is a Special and Important Gateway for Increasing Our Export Potential"

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, providing information that the sectors with the highest exports to the UAE by Turkey are jewellery with USD 1.2 billion in exports, chemical substances with USD 201 million in exports, and ready-made garments sector with USD 185 million in exports, said that these three sectors have the strength to multiply their exports further with their potential. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle continued his remarks as follows: "In addition to these sectors, we have other quite important sectors where we can increase our exports further. When we look at the sectors with the lowest ratio of actual exports to potential exports, non-ferrous metals stand out with a 16% increase, automotive with a 23% increase and fresh fruits and vegetables with a 28% increase. We are exporting 44% of our potential in ready-made garments, the third sector where we export the most. To take advantage of these opportunities, DMCC is a special and important gateway. Currently, there are 444 Turkish member companies at DMCC in food and engineering, technology, marketing and other service sectors. In a trade centre with over 20,000 registered companies, this number can go much higher."

6 Trade Delegations to United Arab Emirates, Total of 10 to Gulf Region Conducted

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that as the Turkish Exporters Assembly they have brought together over 100,000 Turkish exporters with buyers around the world through virtual, sectoral and general trade delegations, and through 110 trade delegations conducted in 73 countries since the start of the pandemic period, demonstrated how committed they are to developing mutual trade despite the pandemic. Emphasizing that during the pandemic they conducted 6 trade delegations to the United Arab Emirates and a total of 10 to the Gulf region, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle stated: "However, we have signed very important projects that will change the face of Turkish exports. By quickly bringing the TİM Brand Council, TİM Women's Council and Young TİM into operation within a very short time, we activated all dynamics in our exports individually. We organized virtual and general trade delegations specifically for these target groups and worked with the entire export family in a collective effort. All these projects reflected extremely positively on our country's foreign trade figures. Our foreign trade volume approached USD 500 billion last year. Now we are moving forward with determination towards our new goals ahead. I believe that with the new period in relations between the two countries, we will build bright days in mutual trade together through joint work."

"We Made History in 2021. We Continue Making History This Year"

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, stating that as the export family they closed 2021 with a historic figure and continue making history this year, said: "Just like in January and February, this month too we are heading towards exports well above last year. The post-pandemic conjuncture supports Turkey and continues to do so. At every fair we attend and every business visit we make, we see great interest and attention to Turkish products. Turkey is an important trade and export centre. Furthermore, with its geopolitical position, Turkey is a very important power providing balance in all this warm environment around us, and we are the commercial power of this strength. We must follow these developments in the world closely and evaluate the trade opportunities directed towards Turkey properly." Offering important advice and warnings to exporters, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle continued his remarks as follows: "We should not sell our products, which are very valuable to us, cheaply. Energy is expensive, raw materials are expensive, everything has value. Let us not sell Turkey's values cheaply. Do not send goods to anyone without goods in return. Do this insured, do this reliably and do business where you make money. We are in an important period for our exports. While many companies in the world want to do business with Turkey, let us appreciate this value."

DMCC Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ahmet Sultan Bin Sulayem: There are many opportunities we can discover in Turkey

DMCC Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ahmet Sultan Bin Sulayem, stating that unlike their previous visits, they are here to evaluate opportunities, said: "We want to cooperate with Borsa İstanbul. Turkey has huge advantages because of its position." Sulayem continued his remarks as follows: DMCC is not just a free zone, it is one of the UAE's important commercial hubs. We work with major brands. Coffee is very important to us, there are storage and packaging mechanisms for coffee in the region. The coffee industry is very important to us. There are 400 members from Turkey at DMCC. However, I am confident this number will increase further in the future. By coming to DMCC, your company can seize new opportunities. From here, you can also develop your business with the Middle East. Dubai's logistics structure is changing. The diamond sector is also developing greatly. We made an agreement with India, India decided to reduce certain taxes, this will increase trade volume. I believe there is a plan for a railway corridor between Turkey-Iran-UAE on the agenda. The old trade route took approximately 20 days. This new planned route between Turkey-Iran-UAE will reduce the journey from 20 days to 6-8 days, saving considerable time. I think we will see such developments again soon. I am thinking of this not just for today but also for the future. After examining different projects, we created the project we currently have and built the diamond tower. A Turkish company will build the gold and silver tower. Turkish companies can also secure their position in the market by renting offices from these buildings. There are many opportunities we can discover in Turkey. DMCC is stronger than ever, and we want you to benefit from this strength.

Turkish Business Council Chairman for UAE Dubai and Northern Emirates Fatma Nilgün Emrem: Our door is open to all Turkish companies

Turkish Business Council Chairman for UAE Dubai and Northern Emirates Fatma Nilgün Emrem, noting that the Turkish Business Council for UAE Dubai and Northern Emirates is a non-profit organization established under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, stated: "We try to guide Turkish companies coming to the UAE. The Free Zone is the main sponsor of our council. Our office is located within DMCC. Our council has over 500 members. Our door is open to all Turkish companies. We also have activities beyond business in the social sphere. We also promote Turkish culture and Turkey's national values there."