Minister Bolat: “Our goal is to increase our share of foreign investments in the world to 1.5% by 2028.”

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated, “Our share in foreign investments worldwide was 0.2%. In 2002 we reached 1%, and our goal is to increase this to 1.5% by 2028.”
The TBMM Plan and Budget Commission, chaired by AK Party Samsun Deputy Mehmet Muş, convened to discuss the 2025 budget of the Ministry of Trade and its affiliated institutions and organizations. After the budget discussions, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat answered questions from the deputies.
Despite the stagnation in global trade, Bolat noted that Turkey’s foreign trade and current account figures are positive, stating that there has been a decrease of $27.5 billion in imports and a decrease of $35.5 billion in the foreign trade deficit.
Bolat remarked that the current account deficit for the January-September period was announced as $5.3 billion by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, indicating a decline from approximately $57 billion. “Turkey continuously increases its share of world trade. We have raised our share from goods exports to 1.08% and from service exports to 1.35%. Overall, we have reached $375 billion in goods and services exports, which you can also consider from this perspective,” he expressed.
“Our goal is to increase our share in foreign investments worldwide to 1.5% by 2028.”
Bolat stated that between 1950-1980, Turkey received $1 billion, $15 billion between 1980-2002, and $271 billion in direct foreign investment between 2003-2024, adding, “Before 2002, the number of foreign investors in Turkey was 5,600, whereas 83,000 direct investors have now come. If there were no rule of law, stability in the economy, or stability in politics, and if the country did not make progress, foreign investors would not come here for the sake of our looks. Our share in foreign investments worldwide was 0.2%. In 2002, we reached 1%, and our goal is to increase this to 1.5% by 2028.”
“There is no situation where India’s veto affects our membership in BRICS.”
Reminding that the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union (EU) continues, Minister Bolat noted that Turkey’s membership, observership, or joint membership in international organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, African Union, ECOWAS, and the Turkic States Organization has always existed. He also mentioned that Turkey has applied to BRICS. Bolat said, “In the last summit meeting in Kazan, Turkey’s application was examined along with those of some other countries. It seems they will respond to us with a joint membership status. There is no situation where India’s veto can affect our membership. BRICS has a share of about 25% in terms of Gross Domestic Product globally. Other countries from Africa, the Gulf, the Middle East, and Asia are also joining or considering joint membership. Our aim here is to develop multi-dimensional, multi-layered relations in both foreign policy and foreign economic relations,” he stated.
Bolat reminded that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has decreased by 27.5 points in the last 5 months and stated that they will continue to reduce inflation in line with the Medium-Term Program (MTP) targets.
“The e-commerce law numbered 6563 was enacted in July 2022.”
Responding to deputies’ questions regarding the e-commerce law, Bolat said, “The e-commerce law numbered 6563 was enacted in July 2022. You were all there. After this law was passed in 2022, within 60 days, the main opposition party took the article regarding net transaction volume in this law to the Constitutional Court. Everything is recorded. You can also get the signatures of those who applied to the Constitutional Court.”
“Turkey’s e-export has accelerated since 2002 when it had none and will reach $7 billion this year.”
Regarding e-commerce, Bolat stated that all provisions in the law have come into effect, saying, “Advertising restrictions, limitations on not establishing a cargo company, restrictions on not establishing one’s own payment system, sponsorship restrictions, and limitations on not being able to create one’s own marketplace and brand have all come into effect. Indeed, as you mentioned, market share has already started to decrease. However, in the past 2.5 years, we have seen that approximately 240,000 tradesmen and SMEs in Anatolia have started e-export. Turkey’s e-export has accelerated since 2002 when it had none and will reach $7 billion this year. Its share in our total exports will also reach 3%.”
“Two East Asian companies are rapidly pressuring Turkish companies through e-imports with a fast cargo system.”
Bolat continued his remarks: “There was no outstanding issue regarding receivables so far. By the end of the year, net transaction volumes would be examined next April. At this point, it was stated that relevant firms and others would remove more than 30,000 SMEs from the system, which would create a situation where hundreds of thousands of people would become unemployed. Furthermore, the sector is progressing so rapidly that two East Asian companies are quickly pressuring firms in Turkey through e-imports with a fast cargo system, and it has been observed that they would reach a point where they would take market share from SMEs and tradesmen. In this context, an assessment was made, and a 20% limitation on e-commerce was introduced in trade, which was not present in the previous law.”
Regarding the changes to the Market Law, Bolat stated, “We are currently in talks with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and market operators. We will determine the issues we will change, bring them to the government, and if approved, they will come to the Parliament. In addition, inspections regarding excessive price increases are being carried out intensively.” He emphasized that they will work to increase support for women cooperatives, stating that women cooperatives have started to make significant contributions to production and exports.
“Turkey is the country that forces Israel to ceasefire.”
Minister Bolat pointed out that the burden of proving a claim falls on the claimant, stating, “The claimant has no recourse if they do not trust the relevant authorities of the Republic of Turkey or the authorities of the State of Palestine.”
“Israel already acquires the weapons it wants from the USA and Europe.”
Emphasizing that Turkey is the country that strives the most on the Palestinian issue, Bolat made the following statements: “Israel already acquires the weapons it wants from the USA and Europe. They even receive grants. The export of defense industry products in Turkey is subject to the control and permission of the Ministry of National Defense. It is subject to the permission of the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Security. Especially after the processes that began on October 7, there was a ceasefire that lasted about a week to 10 days. After that, ceasefire efforts continued. As a country, we have repeatedly stated that we have reduced trade with them by 33-34%. Until April 9. ‘You said there would be no trade with Israel after our decision on April 9, yet now you have cut it.’ Such a statement was made by you or someone from your side. Look at the records. You can also review my speech in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on December 15, 2023. There is no such statement. What we said is that the government, the Ministry of Trade does not engage in trade. We are merely the implementing Ministry; we make regulations, we conduct inspections. Apart from that, we make decisions, and indeed, international companies or private companies engage in import and export transactions.”
“Neither the ship names nor the dates are correct.”
Bolat stated regarding the claims that goods were sent from third countries to Israel that these claims were made based on false reports from circles that have fled from Turkey and act as agents against Turkey. Bolat remarked, “From Turkey, they claimed that more than 70-80 ships loaded with oil from Derince Port were transporting fuel to Israel. We checked this and verified it. Neither the ship names are correct nor the dates are correct. They write ‘tanker’ as if they have transported oil. Just like planes, when ships go somewhere, they refuel there when they run out of fuel. All ships in the world, including Turkish ships, do the same when they go to those places. This is entirely a computer-generated document presented as ‘fuel sent from Derince.'”
In the commission, the budgets for 2025 of the Ministry of Trade, as well as the Competition Authority and the Halal Accreditation Institution were approved.