Turkish goods are the lifeblood of Palestine

Former Palestinian Minister of Economy Khalid al-Useyli did not say that their trade with Turkey is vital for them.

Stating that Palestine is brother to Turkey and that they have always received good support from the Turkish government and President Erdoğan, al-Useyli pointed out that the commercial relations between Turkey and Palestine are increasing every year. Pointing out that trade between Palestine and Turkey increased by an average of 15 percent annually in the last 5 years during his term of office, Useyli said, “If I compare 2020 with 2023, we experienced a 48 percent increase in trade. We reached a trade volume of almost 1 billion dollars between Palestine and Turkey. ” said.

WE DELIVER VIA ISRAEL FOR LOW TAXES

Useyli pointed out that the official figures regarding the trade between Turkey and Palestine do not reflect the real volume and said, “The official trade volume between Palestine and Turkey is 1 billion dollars. But the real thing is perhaps twice that. The reason for this is Israel’s insistence that the destination point in the bill of lading is Israel.” “If West Bank or Palestine is written here, approximately 12 percent extra tax must be paid. Our importers write the destination as Israel, trying to compete by reducing costs. This is one of the reasons why these figures do not reflect the truth.” he said. Useyli stated that Palestine’s highest trade volume is with Israel due to the occupation, and then emphasized that Palestine’s number one trade partner is Turkey. “If you go to any supermarket or retail store here, you will see that most of the products are Turkish.” Useyli said that in the last few years, during his ministry, Turkish companies from the private sector and the business world have been encouraged to give official dealerships here.

Palestinian Ministry of Economy Director: Turkey’s trade data is distorted

Reşat Yusuf, Director of the Politics and Statistics Department of the Palestinian Ministry of Economy, pointed out that Turkey has replaced China in the Palestinian market in recent years and said, “If we exclude Israel, Turkey is the country that exports the most products to the Palestinian market.” said.

Emphasizing that Turkish products imported to Palestinian markets have increased rapidly and ranked first compared to the products of other world countries, Yusuf stated that Palestine’s trade volume with Turkey has shown a clear increase in import and export levels.

Palestinian official Yusuf continued his words as follows: “The rate of increase in mutual trade volume figures is clear. The trade volume between the two countries (Palestine-Turkey) exceeded 900 million dollars in 2022. The bilateral trade volume increased by 12 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, in 2021 increased by 32 percent compared to 2020. This shows the growth of imports (from Turkey to Palestine).” Emphasizing that the trade data of both Palestine and Israel are distorted because Palestine trade is carried out through Israel, Yusuf said, “Turkey is a country with industry in many fields that will meet the needs of the Palestinian market. However, Israel’s restrictions and economic agreements with it create a conflict between Palestine and Turkey.” “It restricts the establishment of partnerships in commercial exchanges.” he said.

Pointing out that the Palestinian administration does not have sovereignty over border gates, Yusuf stated that all products imported by Palestine have to pass through Israel.

It reaches us via Ashdod port.

In occupied East Jerusalem, Palestinians are in demand for Turkish products in the markets due to their quality and prices.

Hussam Herbavi, owner of Tannour Supermarket, which is both a market and a bakery in the Wadi al-Jawz district of East Jerusalem, said, “There are a lot of Turkish products in our market. Canned goods, biscuits, Turkish fruit juices. We have a lot of Turkish products here.” said. Apart from this, Herbavi pointed out that many cleaning products produced in Turkey are on the shelves and said, “In addition, cleaning products from Turkey are also sold in the market. Likewise, there is a lot of equipment in our bakery that we brought from Turkey. Turkish goods are of very high quality and their prices are also high.” “Very convenient and useful.” he said. Regarding the import of Turkish products, Herbavi said: “There are many ways (for import). There are fairs in Turkey every year. We attend the fairs there, we sign agreements directly with the companies. Then the products reach here through Ashdod Port.”

60 percent of the kitchens are Turkish made

Palestinian businessman and President of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Association Muhammed Cevher stated that 50 to 60 percent of the ingredients used in Palestinian cuisine are Turkish goods. Cevher, who has a family company operating in the field of building materials, stated that they have been using mainly Turkish products since the first day they were established. Noting that they import central kitchens in restaurants, hospitals and hotels and other materials used as alternatives to aluminum in construction from Turkey, Cevher said, “Turkish products are largely available in Palestine and 50 to 60 percent of Palestinian kitchens are Turkish. Turkish products for Palestinian companies.” “The closeness between them is of great importance due to common history and social reasons and the same interests.” said. Stating that Palestinians who are Israeli citizens import Turkish products and sell some of them to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Cevher said: “Palestine is classified under the umbrella of Israel at customs. The customs data of Palestine’s imports from Turkey are as if they were sold to Israel.” “When we import from Turkey or another country, we have to fill out a form that says Israel instead of Palestine in the importer section. Otherwise, Israel imposes a fine of 12 percent of the value on the company. In addition, the delivery of the products and the customs procedures at the port are delayed.”

PALESTINE MERCHANT WHO BUYS STEEL FROM TURKEY: It would benefit Israel if we cut imports

Mahmud al-Veher, the largest steel trader in the occupied West Bank, stated that they import between 130 and 150 thousand tons of steel from Turkey on an annual basis and that they have to pass them through Israeli ports and customs. Pointing out that if trade between Turkey and Israel is cut off, business people in Palestine will also lose control of the market, Veher said: “Who will start controlling the West Bank market in this situation? Israeli companies. They will start controlling the market because they own the price and the products. Palestine can easily control the market.” “They can control the market.”