By ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (GREEK) TÜRKÇE (TURKISH)
Trade within the framework of the Green Line Regulation demands attention, incentive and support.
It had demonstrated a significant growth last year.
This year it has come to a deadlock.
In 2020, we were selling goods of 4.6 million euros to the south…
In 2021, this amount went up to 6.1 million euros.
In 2022, the figure rose to 14 million 765 thousand 462 euros.
In 2023, it reached the highest point with 15 million 465 thousand 641 euros.
The expectation for 2024 is 14 million Euros.
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‘Green Line Regulation’ is an important achievement of the “Annan Plan” period.
We are still unable to benefit from its full value…
We must bolster production…
Because this is our only salvation to be able to stand on our own feet, to prevent unemployment amongst youth and to maintain growth in the economy…
While the volume of trade from the north to the south of the island is pushing the limits of 15 million euros, it is merely around 1.5 million euros from the south to the north…
As it can be seen, the Green Line Regulation offers a serious opportunity, especially for Turkish Cypriots.
Unfortunately, a check point that will be used only for purposes of trade has not yet been opened.
This requires leadership…
It also requires one to take on serious initiative and demonstrate determination…
Amid the depreciation and instability of the Turkish Lira, sales to the south both boost the economy and provide a crucial sense of security.
It encourages high standard production.
However, we do not appreciate this either.
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If the ‘Direct Trade Regulation’ comes to life alongside the ‘Green Line Regulation’, then we will reach a much more significant point.
We should see the Green Line Trade as a preparation towards direct trade…
We must root for this…
The last support provided for the industry was through a grant programme in 2015.
Other than that, there is no other aid.
The efforts of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce are important…
Of course, it is not enough…
What is even more upsetting is that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry are unable to cooperate.
The ‘state’ is non-existent anyway!
And yet, there is a serious market in the south of Cyprus…
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I found out what the ‘Top 10 Most Sold Products ’ for the period January – September 2024 were.
Prefabricated Containers are in the first place again.
European Union standards have also been a serious development factor for our manufacturers.
For this reason, among the containers that went to Turkey after the earthquake, those produced in North Cyprus stood out as the most permanent structures.
Wooden furniture, construction materials and plastic products also find substantial buyers in the south.
I keep the halloumi issue aside.
A historic opportunity has emerged for Turkish Cypriot producers to reach Europe directly through Cypriot ports, but progress in this direction is also not satisfactory.
It has been three years since halloumi, the traditional product of the island, was registered as a product with ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ (PDO) with the European Union.
What happened then?
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Of course, there is also the bitter truth…
We learn from the debates in the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus.
Imports from Turkey to the south of the island are 10 times higher than the trade with the north!
Supposedly, Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus…
It does not seem to be that way…
You often see the ‘Made in Turkey’ labelling while shopping in the south, anyway!
The question of why Turkey still does not open its ports to the Republic of Cyprus is difficult to answer with economic reason.
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While no serious incentives and action plans have been put in place to improve the Green Line Trade, goods from Turkey continue to flood the Greek Cypriot market.
This article was originally published on 05.12.2024.
Source: GREEN LINE TRADE AWAITS ATTENTION, INCENTIVE AND SUPPORT
