One of the top issues of the global agenda in recent months was the US decision to apply an embargo on Iran. Although Iran's application to the United Nations International Court of Justice against the United States has been suspended as a result of this application, the possibility of the implementation of this decision by the USA remains up to date. First of all, it should be noted that; We believe the cause to be implemented by our neighbor, a country which the United States appears that these sanctions are appropriate in terms of trade firms in Turkey a number of problems and job loss. The concepts of 'sanction' or 'embargo' in the language of international politics and diplomacy are explained as bringing another state to the desired line through a state, group of states or an organization. The cause-effect relationship regarding these sanctions applied between countries in different geographies of the world needs to be established and calculated correctly. As it is known, in the past years, the United Nations had applied an 35-year-long embargo to Iran, citing international agreements and security breaches. Although one or more states are generally the target of the sanction concept, the effect of sanctions is not limited to the targeted authority. Intermediary institutions, related sub-sectors and the state of the state can also cause global effects in accordance with its economic, military and political power. When restrictions on energy are brought to an oil-rich state like Iran, suppliers, intermediary institutions, the transportation sector and the global oil market are also affected by these restrictions.
If we examine the sanctions in terms of the Turkish logistics sector; It is possible to say that there are two different results. First of all, it should be noted that the logistics sector has a momentum parallel to foreign trade. The trade volume between Turkey and our eastern neighbor, Iran in 2017 was estimated at 10,7 billion dollars. Turkey, the majority of oil and natural gas purchase from Iran while around $ 7,5 billion, including imports, gold, steel profiles, fiber board and realized more than $ 3 billion in exports, mainly automotive industry products. The negotiations between senior representatives of the two giants in 2017-2018 set the goal of achieving a trade volume of $ 30 billion.
Considering that one of the cornerstones of our country's economy is exports and, of course, exports of services, it is possible to say that the sanctions in question will have serious consequences. Because our country has seriously trained manpower and knowledge in manufacturing, textile, construction, machinery, health and tourism. If Iran is more willing to open its market, the trade volume will increase and our deficit may decrease. If the opposite happens, that is, if the international market embargoes on Iran again, of course, the Iranian economy will suffer, but it will also harm trade partners.
The big picture tells us that we can suffer from the embargo on Iran. In terms of the logistics sector, the TIR fleets that will remain idle, especially in the south, will be on the agenda. In addition, we know that there are many UTIKAD members who invested here after the embargo on Iran ended. The fate of Turkish logistics companies operating within Iran's borders also worries us.
However, it is possible to approach the situation from a different angle while experiencing all these concerns. As the Turkish logistics industry, our biggest goal is to become an international hub, or a hub. All works of both the state and the private sector are carried out within the framework of this goal. At this point, Iran is perhaps our most powerful opponent. "Especially in the Chinese market, the market will be made to the Caucasian countries, Turkey and Iran remains at the very core of this trade. When we consider Iran's transportation opportunities, it is more advantageous to go from China to Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan through Iran. Bander Abbas Port is also competing with Mersin Port as an efficient transfer center. Iran to stay out of the game will increase the strength in terms of Turkey's logistics sector that is not preferred rate.
However, in the face of all these possible developments, the narrow strait in the energy sector should not be overlooked. Considering that we provide 17 percent of our oil and natural gas imports from Iran, the embargo may cause more harm than good. (Emre ELDENER UTİKAD Chairman of the Board)
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