Windhoek
Turkish Ambassador to Namibia Denize Cakar says businesses in Turkey and the Turkish nation as a whole are more united than ever, following the failed coup attempt on the evening of July 15.
“Businesses and business associations are now more united than ever before and have come forward to say that this (the failed coup attempt) will not hurt the economy and will not affect bilateral trade agreements,” Cakar said.
She added that Turkish businesses as a whole have expressed their support for their government. “There was of course some uncertainty for a few days following the coup attempt, but now all business has returned to normal,” she said.
Cakar further noted that the process of establishing a Turkish-Namibian Business Council is well underway and the organisation is expected to be up and running by the end of 2016.
The Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD) said in a statement that the attempted coup failed thanks to the mobilisation of all segments of society, including the population at large, political leaders and institutions.
“All of them have expressed their refusal of the violations of the institutions and of the constitutional order and their attachment to the principles of the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights,” read the TUSIAD statement.
TUSIAD also noted that despite the global economic crisis and geopolitical risk, the Turkish economy has displayed resilience.
“Turkey hosted 3 million refugees and with its young and dynamic population, has sustained relatively high and stable growth,” said TUSIAD, which represents 85 percent of Turkey’s total foreign trade (excluding energy), around 50 percent of private sector employment and 80 percent of all corporate taxes in that country.
The business association added that fiscal discipline and the strength of the Turkish banking sector have been and will continue to be the fundamental elements of Turkey’s economic stability. “Market economy rules and institutions will continue to be the main pillars of the competitive Turkish economy,” said TUSIAD.
Today, Turkey is the world’s 18th largest economy and offers fully integrated systems with global markets. “Beyond Europe, Turkey is an indispensable member of the transatlantic community, economically, politically and institutionally,” read the TUSIAD statement.