Chemical Industry Welcomes Lifting of Restrictions

Export restrictions on medical, cosmetics and chemical products were lifted as of 2 May 2020. Adil Pelister, Chairman of the Board of İstanbul Kimyevi Maddeler ve Mamulleri İhracatçıları Birliği (İKMİB), issued a written statement on the matter. In his written statement, Pelister noted that products subject to export registration, export bans and prior approval requirements were removed from the list in question by a notice published in the Official Gazette on 2 May. "With the notice published in the Official Gazette on 18 March 2020, 'Ethyl Alcohol', 'Cologne', 'Disinfectant', 'Alcohol-Based Wet Wipes' and 'Hydrogen Peroxide' – which were included under 'Goods Subject to Export Registration' – have as of today been removed from the list in question, and the regulation requiring export registration for these products has been terminated. Additionally, with the notice published in the Official Gazette on 26 March 2020, products including 'Ventilators, ECMO, Oxygen Concentrators, Ventilation Consumables and Accessories, Patient Circuits (Anesthesia/Ventilator Circuits), IV Cannulae, Endotracheal Tubes, ICU Monitors' – which were included under 'Goods Subject to Prior Export Approval' – have as of today been removed from the list in question, and the regulation requiring prior approval from Turkey's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for export of these products has been terminated."

Adil Pelister: "Opening Export Channels Signals Entry into a Positive Process"

Noting that the requirement for prior approval in export of the aforementioned products has been lifted and export channels have been opened, Pelister stated that İKMİB acted with consideration first for human health and the country's needs during these difficult days caused by the pandemic. Pelister concluded his statement: "Our manufacturing and exporting companies worked with great dedication to meet our country's needs first and continue to do so. On the other hand, despite all difficulties, we did not halt our exports. During this process, we repeatedly emphasized that after our country's needs, exports must continue uninterrupted. It is extremely gratifying news that our efforts on every available platform together with our sector representatives have borne fruit, and signals entry into a positive process. In the near future, we expect that masks and protective suits – export of which was made subject to prior approval on 4 March – will also be removed from the export ban scope. We extend our thanks to our Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Health, Turkey's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK) and our sector representative NGOs for the support they have provided in opening doors for our exporters. We wish our sector well, first and foremost for our country."