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WT/TPR/W/101  
8 April 2016  
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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/En langue originale seulement/En el idioma original solamente . 
  TURKEY 
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 15 AND 17 MARCH 2016 
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat (Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , or to tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 22 April 2016. 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales 
 
TURQUIE  
PROJET DE COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 15 ET 17 MARS 2016 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat (Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 22 avril 2016 au plus tard. 
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales 
 
TURQUÍA  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 15 Y 17 DE MARZO DE 2016 
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sra. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 22 de abril de 2016 las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones. 
 
 
_______________ 
 WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
TURKEY 
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Atanas Atanassov Paparizov (Bulgaria) 
CONTENTS 
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ....................................................... 3  
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TURKEY ....................................... 5  
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT ................................................................................ 9  
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS ........................................................................................ 12  
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF  TURKEY AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS .......... 62  
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ......................................................... 68  
7  ELECTION OF A NEW CHAIRPERSON FOR THE TPRB ................................................... 70  
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by Turkey are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/331/Add.1 and will be available online 
at http://www.wto.org/english/ tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1.1.  The sixth Trade Policy Review of Turkey was held on 15 and 17 March 2016. The Chairperson 
H.E. Mr. Atanas Atanassov Paparizov (Bulgaria) we lcomed the delegation of Turkey headed by the 
Honourable Mr. Hüsnü Dílemre, Deputy Undersecretary, Ministry of Economy; 
H.E. Ambassador Haluk Ilicak, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the WTO; the rest of the 
delegation from Ankara; the rest of the colleagues  from the Mission in Geneva; and the discussant, 
H.E. Ambassador Mariam MD Salleh (Malaysia). 
1.2.  The Chairperson started the meeting by  expressing, on behalf of the membership, 
condolences for the victims of the recent car bomb te rrorist attack that killed at least 37 people in 
Ankara; he expressed deep regret for the loss under  such an unfortunate event. The attendance of 
many officials from Ankara at the meeting was greatly appreciated in light of such circumstances. 
1.3.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of th e Trade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by Turkey was contained in document WT/TPR/G/331 
and that of the WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/331. 
1.4.  He also took the opportunity to note that the agenda included as well the election of a new 
Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body as set out in WTO/AIR/TPR/23/Add.1 of 25 February 2016. This would be considered at the end of the second day of the meeting. 
1.5.  Questions by the following delegations had been submitted in writing before the deadline of 
5.30 p.m. of 1 March 2016 and had been transmi tted to the delegation of Turkey: Australia; 
Mexico; Colombia; Singapore; Japan; Ukraine; EU; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Hong Kong, China; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; Republic of Korea; Chile; Dominican Republic; New Zealand; Canada; 
Brazil; Peru; the United States; Indonesia; the Russian Federation; and Ecuador. The following 
delegations submitted written questions after the deadline: Costa Rica; Paraguay; China; 
Malaysia; Kenya; Thailand; and Uruguay. These questions had also been transmitted to the 
delegation of Turkey. 
1.6.  Turkey was the 17th largest economy in th e world and was a member of the G20 and OECD. 
Since its last review in 2012, Turkey's economy had grown by 4.2% in 2013, and then had slowed 
again to 2.9% in 2014, reflecting Turkey's vulnerability to capital inflows and contraction in 
agricultural output due to adverse weather condit ions. In the first half of 2015, domestic demand 
had been the main source of growth which had reached 3.1%. Foreign trade had remained an important part of the Turkish economy with total trade in goods and services accounting for about 
60% of GDP in 2014. 
1.7.  One particular concern for continued sustainable growth was the current account deficit, 
which had been about 7% of GDP in 2015 coupled with high inflation since mid-2013. Moreover, 
the recent geopolitical crisis and conflict in the region also posed challenges to sustained economic 
growth. 
1.8.  Turkey had a large deficit in merchandise tr ade but this was reduced by the surplus in trade 
in services, especially transport and tourism, and to a much lesser extent by remittances from 
Turkish people working abroad. The majority of Turkey's exports were manufactured goods, but 
exports of agricultural products were significant and had accounted for nearly 12% of total exports 
in 2014. Turkey's merchandise imports had reached US$242 billion in 2014; and mostly comprised 
raw materials and intermediate goods which had fed into the production of higher value-added 
finished goods for export. 
1.9.  In terms of investment, Turkey had continued its efforts to attract FDI by deepening or 
expanding incentives, schemes, and free zones during the review period. Despite this, inward FDI 
had generally declined since 2011 and there had been no significant changes to the legal framework, including the number of restrictions that  existed in several sectors such as transport, 
finance, and broadcasting. Members raised a number of questions on investment, in particular on 
regulatory aspects, limitations, and the possibilities of liberalizing longstanding restrictions. 
1.10.  Regarding measures taken on imports, Turkey used a number of policy tools including, 
tariffs, tariff quotas, taxes, and border measures. On tariffs, it was noted there was a slight WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  increase in applied tariff rates as well as a significant number of unbound tariff lines. The relatively 
large number of taxes and their complex application was a burden for traders, while some products also faced other border measures including prohibitions, licensing, and controls. Regarding border measures and trade facilitation, Members raised points on costly delays at the 
border and administrative burdens that could undermine recent initiatives to facilitate trade, such 
as the development of the single window application and special programmes or projects to speed up customs clearance for certain traders.  
1.11.  Judging from the number of advance questions received, other areas of great interest to 
Members included Turkey's intellectual property regime, particularly enforcement, and contingency 
measures where Turkey remained one of the WTO' s main users of safeguards and anti-dumping 
measures. 
1.12.  Agriculture remained important economical ly and socially, accounting for about 9% of GDP 
and 21% of employment in 2014. Turkey had main tained a trade surplus in agricultural goods 
despite an overall growing trade deficit in trade in goods. There were a number of issues raised by 
Members in their questions about agriculture as they sought more information about market 
access, domestic support, and export competition polic ies, including the lack of notifications to the 
Committee on Agriculture. 
1.13.  The Chairperson was sure that these and many other themes would be touched upon in 
greater detail at the deliberations on the first and second day of the meeting and all looked forward to hearing Turkey's responses to these and other questions. Of course, Members could 
wish to ask other issues as well. 
1.14.  He closed his introductory remarks by wi shing Turkey a very successful sixth Trade Policy 
Review. He looked forward to its active engagement in this TPR. 
1.15.  He also noted that a podcast would be made of the meeting which could be accessed on the 
Members' website. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TURKEY 
(HONOURABLE MR. HÜSNÜ D İLEMRE) 
2.1.  On behalf of my delegation, I would like to thank all of you for your participation in sixth TPR 
of Turkey. 
2.2.  It is a great pleasure to be here on this occasion and first of all, I would like to thank the 
WTO Secretariat team for their efforts that they have put into the TPR process and the comprehensive report they have prepared. Let me also convey our appreciation to the Permanent 
Representative of Malaysia Dr Mariam MD Salleh for honouring us as the discussant.  
2.3.  This is an exercise that Turkey attaches great importance not only for systemic reasons but 
also for its distinctive nature, enabling Members to take an inside look to the trade and economic policies of countries. I know that our discussions today and on Thursday will be enlightening for 
everyone here in this room and for the stake holders back home. 
2.4.  We look forward to a fruitful interaction over the next two days and would be happy to 
provide any further information or clarifications that members may require in addition to the 
responses we have provided for the 400 plus questions raised by the Members.(27) 
2.5.  Despite the fact that eight years have passed since the start of the global financial crisis and 
despite immense efforts by all countries, global growth continues to be moderate. Global recovery 
was hampered by some new challenges, including a number of unexpected shocks and heightened 
geopolitical conflicts in various regions of the world.  
2.6.  Turkey has attracted global attention for it s rapid and sustained economic growth for the last 
14 years despite the global crisis.  
2.7.  In the review period, Turkish economy manage d to grow more than the global economy. This 
being said, GDP growth rates during the review period were subject to fluctuations. Although the GDP was at a record with 8.8% in 2011, via measures taken to curb private consumption and to 
balance current account deficit, the growth rate became 2.1% in 2012. This was followed by 
growth rates of 4.2% in 2013 and 2.9% in 2014 resp ectively. In the first three quarters of 2015, 
although the contribution of net exports to grow th was -0.7 units, Turkish economy grew by 3.4% 
thanks to domestic demand and strong private fixed investment.  
2.8.  There are a number of outstanding factors that characterize the period under review. 2.9.  For the sustainability of fiscal policy, the Turkish Government took decisive steps towards a 
better control on public sector primary expenditures together with public borrowing. These steps 
were transformed into a strong budgetary stance. Central government budget deficit/GDP ratios 
were 1.2% and 1.3% in 2013 and 2014 respectively. In 2015, according to Medium Term Program estimations, this ratio will be around 1.3%.  
2.10.  Monetary policy is another cornerstone of strong stance of Turkish economy. The Central 
Bank of Turkey (CBT) maintained to implement inflation targeting together with a floating 
exchange rate regime in 2012-2015 period so as to achieve and maintain price stability. 
2.11.  Minimizing the effects of volatility in capital flows on domestic markets has been the main 
emphasis for the macroeconomic and financial stability in the last years.  
2.12.  Central Bank of Turkey has also gradually modified the reserve requirement system to 
support the macro-financial stability, to reduce adverse impact of fluctuation on capital 
movements, to ensure healthy credit growth and exchange rate developments. 
2.13.  Financial Sector Reforms constitute a further important pillar for increasing economic 
activity. As a Basel Committee member, Turkey has been implementing Basel II and Basel II.5 
since July 2012. 
2.14.  Although Turkey was able to protect its steady growth performance and implement needed 
structural reforms, the level of current account de ficit has been a challenge for Turkish economy.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  2.15.  Turkey remains committed to trade liberalization and deeper integration with the global 
economy. Turkey’s exports increased from US$135 billion in 2011 to US$157.6 billion in 2014. In 
2015, parallel with contracting in world trade in va lue term, Turkish exports fell to US$144 billion. 
WTO statistics indicate that Turkey is the 15th country among 40 member states, which succeeded 
to increase their total exports in 2014. 
2.16.  On the other side, imports have fluctuated around US$240 billion and reached the peak of 
the review period in 2013 with an amount of US $252 billion. As a net energy importer country, 
Turkey’s imports have started to decrease by value in the second half of 2014 following the fall in 
commodity prices. Because of continuing sharp decrease in commodity prices in 2015, import 
dropped to US$207 billion in 2015. 
2.17.  I would like to underline hereby that Turkey  has been working on to mitigate the impacts of 
current account deficit by encouraging the production and export of high value-added products, 
promoting foreign direct investments, increasing income from services sectors such as contracting, technical consulting and transportation. 
2.18.  Services sector has continued to be a pr opelling force in terms of economic activity, 
employment, and trade in both domestic and intern ational fora since the last review. In 2014, it 
had a share of 59% in Turkey’s GD P and grew by 4.1%. In the firs t three quarters of 2015, service 
sector grew by 4.4%. 
2.19.  In 2014, services accounted for 23% of Turkey’s gross exports with a value of 
US$51.6 billion and with over 40% in value added te rms. Turkey ranked 27th in the list of the 
largest commercial service exporters. 
2.20.  In line with these developments, Turkey has been negotiating services chapters within free 
trade agreements to enhance market access opportunities for the services sector.   
2.21.  We continue to simplify and liberalize our FDI policy to provide greater predictability and 
clarity to foreign investors. During the last ten years, Turkey had 8.5 times more FDI than it had 
had during the previous 80 years. 
2.22.  With the purpose of stimulating furthe r inward FDI flows, new Investment Incentive 
Program for investment projects incorporating sectoral and regional development priorities was 
introduced in June 2012. Parallel with the export-o riented growth strategy that is projected in 
Development Plans, the new incentive program aims to steer savings into high value added investments and encourage large scale and strategic investments with high R&D content. 
2.23.  In this vein, as a means of building further investor confidence, Turkey is incorporating 
comprehensive investment chapters to its Free Trade Agreements under negotiation, as well as updating the existing ones.  
2.24.  Overseas contracting sector is Turkey’s  most active and experienced services sector. 
Despite regional political turmoil in Middle East and North Africa, Turkish overseas contracting sector continued its development. More than 8,700  projects worth of exceeding US$323.4 billion in 
108 countries have been undertaken by  Turkish companies as of today. 
2.25.  In 2023, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Turkish Republic. 
For that special occasion we have charted out a brand new agenda called "Vision 2023" for reform, growth and investment. Our vision is to make Turkey a significant participant in world trade by the 
year 2023. Within this new agenda, "Turkish Exports Strategy for 2023" aims to shift production 
from low technology sectors to high value added areas and achieve new investments in high-tech sectors. 
2.26.  Again, during the review period, as a to ken of its commitment to free trade, Turkey has 
continued to implement measures for facilitating and simplifying customs procedures. For example, the Single Window Project has been in operation since 2014 and currently 14 institutions 
are interconnected through this Project. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  2.27.  Although Turkey is ranked 62nd out of 189 economies in the World Bank's Doing Business 
Report 2016 subcategory on "trading across borders", ease of doing business has been a major focus of our policies and we believe we rank much higher in practice. 
2.28.  But above all, I hereby would like to declar e with satisfaction that Turkey has completed the 
ratification process of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and is submitting its instrument of 
acceptance this week to the WTO.  
2.29.  We have been one of the most active and supportive members since the first day of the 
negotiations of the TF Agreement. Today, we maintain our position and fully support the 
immediate implementation of the Agreement, whic h will be beneficial for all trading partners 
regardless of their level of development.  
2.30.  Diversification of our trade markets has always been a crucial and focal aspect of our trade 
policy. In this regard, Turkey has signed new fr ee and preferential trade agreements, initiated new 
negotiations and started to update existing ones.  
2.31.  Over the course of the review period, we also took part in Environmental Goods Agreement 
(EGA), Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) and the expansion of Information Technology 
Agreement negotiations at the WTO. We strongly believe that EGA will have a positive impact that will go beyond just export and import liberalization and it will facilitate the process of renewable 
energy investments, technology transfer and capacity building. On the TiSA side, we see TiSA as 
an opportunity to eliminate existing market access barriers, regulatory inconsistencies and burdensome procedures in areas important for our services industry. 
2.32.  However, Turkey’s stance with regards to a strong and efficient multilateral trading system 
stays intact. 
2.33.  We all know that, the pace of global trade growth could still not reach its pre-crisis level. In 
the last four decades, for the first time, global  trade grew less than global economy. Weaker 
demand from emerging markets made 2015 the worst year for world trade since the aftermath of 
the global financial crisis.  
2.34.  At this juncture, WTO should be at the core to spur global economic growth and sustainable 
development. 
2.35.  In this sense, we welcome the results reached in Nairobi. Multilaterally achieved outcomes 
represent a compromise among divergent views. Without any doubt, political credibility lies in the capacity to produce implementable results and now we should work towards transforming our 
political commitments into workable action plans and ultimately into concrete results. 
2.36.  In the post-Nairobi process, implementing Nairobi Decisions and taking forward remaining 
Doha Development Agenda issues should be at the top of our agenda.   
2.37.  Turkey is equally open to work out new dr ivers of future of trade in the WTO platform.  
2.38.  Besides its commitments as a Member of the WTO, Customs Union with the EU and the 
perspective of full membership to the EU remained  as one of the main determinants of Turkey’s 
overall trade policies.  
2.39.  With the aim of further enhancement of partnership with the EU, we have established a 
dialogue in January 2014 to update the Customs Unio n. We believe that along with the elimination 
of asymmetries within the Customs Union, extension of our trade relations with the EU to new 
areas like agriculture, services and public procurement is important for the Customs Union to 
reflect its genuine potential. 
2.40.  The Customs Union mainly constitutes the legal basis of Turkey’s free trade agreements 
(FTA) and autonomous preferential regimes. In this  respect, Turkey negotiates and concludes FTAs 
in parallel with the EU. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  2.41.  During the review period, FTAs with five countries, namely Chile, Jordan, the Republic of 
Korea, Malaysia, and Mauritius were concluded and entered into force. Additionally, the FTAs signed with Lebanon, Kosovo, Moldova, Faroe Islands and Singapore are under ratification process, and the FTA negotiations with Ghana have been concluded. We also concluded a limited-scope 
Preferential Trade Agreement with Iran, which is in force since 1 January 2015. 
2.42.  Turkey also sustains efforts to achieve more liberal trading conditions in its region. To this 
end, an ambitious trade agenda, which would also co ntribute to the economic and political stability 
in the region, is pursued in the framework of regional organizations such as the Economic 
Cooperation Organization, Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Developing-8. 
2.43.  I would like to reemphasize that efforts at bilateral and regional levels should never be 
taken as Turkey’s drawback from multilateralism but an indication of its genuine willingness to 
liberalize trade at each and every level without eroding the basis of the multilateral trading system. 
2.44.  Our G-20 Term Presidency in 2015 was a brief projection of our devotion to multilateralism. 
Inclusiveness, implementation and investment for global growth were three main priorities set 
forth in our term presidency. Growth and sustainable development were integral parts of all the 
main themes.  
2.45.  Turkey held the third G20 Trade Minister s’ Meeting in October 2015 with special emphasis 
on reaffirming the importance of a strong and effe ctive multilateral trading system to lift global 
growth and supporting ongoing work in order to increase the complementarity between Regional 
Trade Agreements and the multilateral trading system.   
2.46.  In this era of globalization, the destinies of developed and developing countries are 
intertwined. It is in the best interests of all to work collectively for global development. The 
founding Members of the WTO designed it as a uniquely democratic platform to make trade a tool 
that serves the objective of development, of raising standards of living, and ensuring full employment. We need to abide by these principles . Turkey remains ready to work with all of you 
to achieve our collective goals. 
2.47.  This TPRM exercise which Turkey attaches great importance for the distinct nature of the 
process enabling Members to take an insight look to  trade and economic policies of the countries. I 
know that our discussions today and on Thursday will be enlightening for everyone here in this 
room. We are looking forward for future interaction in the next two days and we would be happy 
to provide any further information and all clarification that Members may require in addition to the responses we have provided to the more 400 questions raised by the Members. 
2.48.  Thank you for your attention. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
3.1.  I would like to begin by welcoming the de legation of Turkey, led by Mr. Husnu Dilemre, 
Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy of Turkey. Thank you for your opening statement. We know the new challenges faced by Tu rkey today. I join you, Chair, in expressing 
my condolences to the people of Turkey  on the Sunday incident in Ankara. 
3.2.  As discussant, I would like to touch upon several aspects of trade and macroeconomic 
policies of Turkey during the Review period co vering a number of elements such as Turkey’s 
overall economic performance, her domestic trade and investment regime and Turkey’s role in the 
multilateral trading system.  
3.3.  The comprehensive reports by the Governme nt of Turkey and the Secretariat would provide 
the basis for I am sure an interesting discussion by Members particularly on the challenges ahead 
for Turkey. 
Overall economic development 3.4.  Turkey’s overall economic performance had shown remarkable results during the last decade. 
A sound macroeconomic strategy combined with prudent fiscal policies and major structural 
reforms undertaken since the last review has further integrated Turkey into the globalized economy, while transforming the country into one of the major recipients of FDI in the region. 
Turkey’s parallel trade policy and its capitalisati on of its customs union with the EU has brought 
benefits.  
3.5.  Turkey is an upper middle income count ry with a large and diverse manufacturing base 
activities and services. Turkey continues to be a net exporter of services due to its significant 
surplus in travel services, at 65% of GDP in 2014.  
3.6.  These developments had led to optimistic pr ojections on the direction Turkey was heading to. 
According to the OECD, Turkey wa s projected to be one of the fastest growing economies of the 
OECD Members during 2014-2016, with an annual av erage growth rate of 3.6%. In fact, reports 
had dubbed Turkey as a "poster-child" of deep reform agenda.  
3.7.  Yet, despite the impressive performance, headwinds that affected the growth of most of the 
emerging markets have also affected Turkey’s economy. The Secretariat report pointed that the 
economy slowed down in 2014 reflecting Turkey’s vu lnerability to capital inflows and contraction in 
agricultural output. This is added to a high curre nt account deficit, although declining, has left 
Turkey exposed to external shocks in an enviro nment of increased currency and financial market 
volatility coupled with high inflation since mid-2013.  
3.8.  Added on to these issues, recent events added a new dimension of uncertainty to the 
Turkey's economic outlook. Geopolitical crisis in the region and the associated problems could pose 
challenges to Turkey’s sustainable growth direction.  
3.9.  Amidst the uncertain external conditions however, we recognized Turkey’s efforts in making 
adjustments to maintain her structural balance. Wi th a long term vision for 2023 in place, Turkey 
aims to be one of the top ten economies in the world. In order to achieve these objectives, we 
note that Turkey has developed several short term and medium-term plans. According to its Tenth Development Plan (2013-2018) and Medium-Term Programme (2016-2018), the Government has set out the objectives of maintaining economic growth; increase competitiveness and employment; 
ensure regional development; improve public financ es and reduce the current account deficit. I am 
sure Members would be very interested to hear the progress of implementation and the milestones achieved in advancing the 2023 targets.  
3.10.  One of the world’s biggest markets with half  of the population below the age of 30, Turkey 
has the highest youth population comprising 29.2 million young and well-educated professionals, human resources that if well harnessed bode well for the planned future of Turkey’s 2023. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  Domestic trade regime 
3.11.  Trade is a key factor for Turkey’s economic  growth and in generating employment. Turkey’s 
exports have continued to grow since the last review although experiencing a slight contraction in imports in 2014 as a result of a weak internal demand.  
3.12.  Agriculture as a sector continues to have an important role in the economy of Turkey. Being 
the world’s seventh largest agricultural producer, agriculture contributed to approximately 9% of the GDP and 21% of employment in 2014. Tariff for agriculture continues to be substantially 
higher than industrial goods as Turkey maintains an  average rate of 49% for agricultural goods, as 
compared to 5.5% on industrial goods. Tariff prot ection remains particularly high averaging over 
80% on meat, dairy, sugar and confectionary, an d agricultural products. Additionally, Turkey’s 
WTO bound tariff levels are much higher than the applied rates, especially for many agricultural 
goods. While these gaps allow the Government to modify tariff rates in response to domestic and 
international market conditions, such differences reduce the needed predictability. Members concerns on the high level of tariff protection in agriculture remain since the last Review. It is 
important that Turkey provides a predictable ta r i f f  r e g i m e  t o  e n s u r e  s t r o n g e r  g r o w t h  i n  i t s  
economic sectors. 
3.13.  We note from the reports on customs proc edures that significant changes have been made 
since the review period. Of the various changes, it  is encouraging that licensing requirements for a 
wide range of products including household items, telecommunications, broadcasting apparatus, motor vehicles and medical apparatus, among others  have been removed. It is laudable too that 
Turkey has also put in place initiatives to facilitate trade through "one stop shop" pilot projects and 
we hope for further reforms in reducing existing restrictions. Streamlining the procedures would 
help where they are overly complex and costly. In  the 2015 World Bank Group report on Ease of 
Doing Business, it is noted that Turkey is ranked 55th, down from 51st in 2014, which showed 
much room for improvements. 
3.14.  It is also noted that although Turkey is be nefitting from its integration into the global value 
chain through supplying finished and high technolo gy goods to foreign intermediaries, a relatively 
high level of the value has already been added in the goods imported into Turkey, leaving 
relatively little value added to be done in Turkey itself. According to the OECD-WTO Trade in Value Added (TiVA) database, the foreign value added as  a proportion of gross exports increased from 
10% in 1995 to 26% in 2011, while domestic value added was 15% in 2011. These pose 
challenges to Turkey’s efforts to further integrate its industries into the GVCs particularly by small 
and medium-sized enterprises in the upstream activities. 
Investment policies 
3.15.  Turning to Turkey’s investment regime, we find that reform efforts are lagging behind those 
mentioned earlier. There has not been significant liberalization of investment restrictions since the last review period. Restrictions remain in many forms with limits on foreign participation or those 
requiring permissions or licences to operate. Turk ey's foreign investment laws generally subscribe 
to a partnership system by limiting foreign investors to a minority ownership of 49% although a full ownership of 100% is allowed for certain sect ors. Turkey is therefore encouraged to open up 
its market which could contribute towards Turkey’s  competitiveness, productivity and, ultimately, 
its economic growth.  
3.16.  It is also noted that legislative changes have gone in different directions for different 
contingency measures. While Members would welcome measures that limit the use of 
anti-dumping and countervailing measures, the rationale for extending the application and renewal 
periods for safeguards measures is less easy to understand. It would be useful to hear from Turkey, the Government's considerations in this regard.  
3.17.  To a large extent, although TBT and SPS measures of Turkey are harmonized at the EU 
level, I note that there are concerns raised by Members regarding its notified measures under the WTO Committees. While efforts of aligning Turkey’s technical regulations with the EU continue, we encourage Turkey to review measures that are re strictive than necessary and utilise the use of 
international standards and practices to address the concerns.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  3.18.  There has been progress in public pr ocurement with various amendments being made 
during the review period that focus on greater transparency, streamlining and uniformity in procedures. We firmly believe that gradual introd uction of the use of electronic procurement in 
particular, could result in a more improved and efficient system. I believe Members would like to 
know further how the amended framework is being implemented and the initial feedback received. 
3.19.  On IPR, Turkey has taken several initiatives to modernize its IPR administration and 
continue with its efforts to enforce intellectual  property rights. Key aspects of the envisaged 
amendments include the strengthening of the me chanism against digital piracy. Despite these 
legislative and institutional improvements, we note from the Secretariat report that effective IPR enforcement remains a concern. Turkey might want to share with Members on how the issues of IPR enforcement would be further strengthened.   
Commitment to the multilateral trading system 
3.20.  Turkey, a founding Member of the WTO, has made significant contribution to the multilateral 
trading system. It played a key role in concludi ng the Trade Facilitation Agreement and continues 
to engage constructively in the ongoing multilateral negotiations. We welcome very much Turkey's 
ratification of the agreement as announced by  Deputy Undersecretary Dilemre earlier.  
3.21.  We also note that since the last review, Turkey had diligently filed notifications pursuant to 
the various WTO Agreements, fulfilling its obligation to transparency as a Member of the WTO. 
However, based on the Secretariat report, Members I am sure look forward for Turkey to improve 
its notification of its domestic support in agriculture, which is a major area for the remaining Doha negotiation issues. 
3.22.  It should be highlighted that Turkey sh owed its strong commitment to the principle of 
special and differential treatment for developing countries. Turkey was among the first to implement the duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) commitment for Least Developed Countries and 
has ratified the Protocol amending the TRIPS Agr eement. It is laudable that Turkey has also 
notified her preferential treatment for LDCs in services trade to allow better market access opportunities for LDCs.  
3.23.  In many aspects we recognize that Turkey ’s trade policy is stable and predictable and can 
be characterized by an on-going process of trade and investment liberalization. In this, Turkey sees great value in the harmonization of trade rules and economic cooperation among trading partners, first and foremost at the multilateral level.  
3.24.  At the same time, plurilateral arrangements and free trade agreements (FTAs) have also 
increasingly become important elements of Turk ey’s overall trade policy objective to enhance 
market access for its exports. This is evidenced by Turkey’s active participation in the ongoing 
plurilateral negotiations that include Environmen tal Goods Agreement (EGA) and Trade in Services 
Agreement (TISA).  
3.25.  In preferential trade, Turkey has signed  several regional and bilateral trade agreements 
including with Malaysia and Singapore being the latest. In 2014, imports benefitting from these 
agreements were valued at US$13.3 billion; approximately 5.5% of Turkey's total imports. We hope that these would be the building blocks to wards improving Turkey’s binding commitments in 
the WTO.  
Final remarks 
3.26.  As we have seen during the review pe riod, sound monetary and fiscal policies can help 
Turkey mitigate market setbacks and achieve structural balance in the medium term. Being 
versatile and responsive to changes as shown in the past we hope that it would continue to allow 
Turkey to withstand the current pressure of econ omic cycles and bring about a high degree of 
stability in its economic environment, which is crucial to further growth as it moves towards the 
2023 targets.  
3.27.  With this, I wish Turkey a successful sixth Trade Policy Review.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 
AUSTRALIA 4.1.  Let me begin by joining you, Chair, in exte nding sincere condolences to the people of Turkey 
in relation to the bomb attack in Ankara. 
4.2.  Australia values our close and productive re lationship with Turkey including our substantial 
engagement across a wide range of issues such as security cooperation, people-to-people links, and economic cooperation. We welcome our increasing cooperation with Turkey in international 
fora including the WTO, G20 and MIKTA. Austra lia commends Turkey’s stewardship of the G20 
agenda in 2015 with a focus on the overarching G2 0 goal of boosting global growth and creating 
jobs. Turkey’s strong commitment to the WTO an d to the G20 is welcome and very much shared 
by Australia. 
4.3.  Reducing barriers to trade and investment are important aspects of global economic growth. 
We welcome Turkey’s focus on diversifying and in creasing two-way trade and inward foreign direct 
investment. These efforts will help to improve Turkey’s long-term competiveness and growth. We 
look forward to Turkey’s ratification of  the Agreement on Trade Facilitation.  
4.4.  We note a key goal of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock's 2013-2014 Strategic 
Plan is to ensure food security and access to qualit y agricultural products by protecting agricultural 
production resources. Australia would encourag e Turkey to recognize the important role of 
imported food and agricultural products in helping to ensure food security. Australia continues to be concerned about the high tariff protection Tu rkey maintains for many agricultural products 
including live animals, meat and edible meat offal, and dairy products. 
4.5.  Like Australia, Turkey recognizes the import ance of foreign direct investment for economic 
development. Increased foreign direct investment into Turkey will help support future economic prosperity. Although Turkey maintains a relatively open investment regime in most sectors, the 
continuation of restrictions to foreign investment in a number of important areas has resulted in a 
barrier to increased foreign investment business linkages. We encourage Turkey to reduce these restrictions in order to support the "investment zone" objectives of providing investor-friendly 
environments with attractive infrastructures for businesses. 
MÉXICO Introducción 4.6.  A la delegación de México le complace constatar que Turquía ha hecho importantes logros 
económicos y avances significativos en materia comercial desde su último examen, tal y como ha 
sido expuesto por su Excelencia, el Viceministro Hüsnü Dilemre, a quien le damos la más cordial bienvenida, lo mismo que a la delegación que lo acompaña desde Ankara.  
4.7.  En especial, quiero felicitar al Embajador Haluk Ilicak por su excelente actuación al frente de 
la Misión Permanente de Turquía. 
Desarrollo económico en general 
4.8.  La economía turca creció en un envidiable 9% en 2010 y una no menos envidiable del 8%, en 
2011. No obstante, en los últimos años, Turquía ha encontrado ciertas turbulencias, creciendo en 2,1% en 2012, con un ligero aumento a 2,9% en 2014 y 2,4 en 2015, y observando una tasa de inflación relativamente elevada (que gira en torno al 8%).  
4.9.  Estamos conscientes de que Turquía enfrenta en estos momentos retos geopolíticos 
importantes que requiere superar para seguir fortaleciendo su economía.  
4.10.  Turquía es, en muchos sentidos, un puente entre oriente y occidente, situación que favorece 
una mejor integración económica con países de Europa, Asia y Norte de África. Su historia 
fascinante ha impulsado considerablemente su sector turístico, mismo que ha logrado expandirse a WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  los servicios de salud, y su situación geográfica privilegiada lo ha consolidado como un socio 
estratégico para muchos países alrededor del mundo. 
Aranceles  4.11.  El informe de la Secretaría muestra que el arancel promedio de productos industriales es del 
5,5%, que las partidas libres de derechos representan el 23,5% de todas las líneas arancelarias y 
que casi el 80% de los aranceles son inferiores al 10%, lo cual aplaudimos. Sin embargo, alrededor de la mitad de las líneas arancelarias siguen sin consolidarse, y solamente el 43% de las 
líneas arancelarias de los productos no agrícolas está consolidado. El arancel aplicado aumentó el 
12,8% "en respuesta a las peticiones de los productores nacionales", y el tipo medio de arancel aplicado en productos agropecuarios es del 49%. El arancel agrícola consolidado es un astronómico 60%. Está entre los más elevados registrados por la OMC entre sus Miembros.  
4.12.  El informe de la Secretaría señala que Turquía es el séptimo productor agropecuario del 
mundo. Por tal motivo, instamos a Turquía a ponerse al corriente en las notificaciones de sus programas de ayuda interna y subvenciones a las exportaciones, tal como lo hace en la OCDE. 
4.13.  Nos preocupa, además, que la Ley Nº 474 del Arancel de Aduanas permita al Gobierno de 
Turquía aumentar los tipos arancelarios NMF aplicados cuando considere que no son suficientes para proporcionar una protección "adecuada" a las ramas de producción nacionales, y que Turquía 
haya ejercido este derecho con respecto a determinados productos no agrícolas.  
Medidas comerciales correctivas 4.14.  También observamos con preocupación que Turquía es el tercer país que más recurre a las 
medidas de salvaguardia en la OMC. 
Facilitación del comercio 
4.15.  En materia de Facilitación del Comercio, damos la bienvenida a la notificación que presentó 
Turquía en julio de 2014 de su de compromisos de Categoría A; al Proyecto de Ventanilla Única, 
que permite a los importadores presentar toda la documentación ante una misma entidad; a la 
armonización de su modelo de declaración aduanera con el utilizado en la Unión Europea, y a la utilización de declaraciones abreviadas de importación.  
Comercio de servicios e inversión 
4.16.  México aplaude la intención de Turquía de introducir disposiciones sobre servicios e 
inversiones en sus nuevos acuerdos comerciales regionales que negocia actualmente, incluido el acuerdo que estamos negociando bilateralmente. Felicitamos a Turquía también por haber 
merecido el lugar 36º en obtención de electricidad y cumplimiento de contratos y el 20º en el de 
protección de inversionistas minoritarios, según el Informe Doing Business 2016 del Banco Mundial, y lo alentamos a continuar mejorando dichas puntuaciones. Para tal efecto, le sugerimos 
tomar en cuenta algunas recomendaciones clave hechas por la OCDE en 2014, tales como el 
incremento de la productividad y confianza co n base en un ambiente empresarial basado en 
reglas, con la finalidad de que su mercado sea más predecible. 
Propiedad intelectual 
4.17.  Nuestra delegación reconoce los esfuerzos qu e ha emprendido Turquía en la lucha contra la 
piratería digital en su Estrategia Nacional de Propiedad Intelectual e Industrial y otros instrumentos, así como los mecanismos electrónicos que permiten a los titulares de derechos de 
propiedad intelectual presentar sus solicitudes de in tervención en línea, con la finalidad de que las 
aduanas puedan suspender transacciones de aduaneras con respecto a las mercancías que podrían infringir estos derechos.  
Cierre 
4.18.  Agradecemos a Turquía por las respuestas a las preguntas previamente formuladas por mi 
delegación, y apreciaríamos que consideren las preguntas adicionales que les haremos llegar hoy WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  mismo y que conciernen a la agricultura, acuerdos de libre comercio, medidas de salvaguardia, 
subvenciones, facilitación del comercio y normas de origen.  
COLOMBIA 4.19.  Quiero aprovechar la ocasión para expresar en nombre de mi Gobierno nuestras más 
sinceras condolencias y nuestra solidaridad ante los recientes eventos terroristas en Ankara. 
4.20.  El período objeto de examen ha traído retos para la economía turca, dadas la lenta 
recuperación de sus principales socios comerciales y la inestabilidad política en la región, que se ha 
reflejado en sus indicadores.  
4.21.  En efecto, en el examen anterior se apreciaba un importante ritmo de crecimiento de su 
PIB, que entre el 2010 y el 2011 sobrepasaba el 8% en promedio, con una marcada desaceleración a partir del 2012 – promediando un 3% durante los últimos años. A pesar de esto, 
destacamos que al mismo tiempo las tasas de inflación y desempleo se mantuvieron relativamente 
estables.   
4.22.  Como resalta el informe presentado por el Gobierno, el buen manejo fiscal y de política 
monetaria han contribuido a la estabilidad macroeconómica del país y a controlar la inflación. El 
déficit de la cuenta corriente, que en el examen  anterior figuraba como un reto importante a 
atender, continúa siendo relevante. La baja en los precios del petróleo y la depreciación de la 
moneda, han ayudado a reducirlo en un 30% en el 2014, y la tendencia ha seguido en el 2015. 
4.23.  En la misma línea, los esfuerzos enfocados hacia la reorientación y diversificación de las 
exportaciones, así como a la promoción de las inversiones en bienes intermedios de alta tecnología y a mejorar su acceso a cadenas de valor internacionales, contribuirán a corregir en el mediano 
plazo los desequilibrios en la cuenta corriente. 
4.24.  Pero en materia de retos, destacamos especialmente aquellos que conforman la 
denominada Visión 2023. Este gran objetivo de convertir a Turquía en una de las 10 más grandes 
economías del mundo, requerirá de esfuerzos proporcionales al mismo, en materia de 
competitividad y productividad, diversificación y recomposición de su sector productivo y sus exportaciones y una fortalecida presencia en los mercados internacionales. Confiamos en que 
lograrán alcanzarlo.   
4.25.  El comercio exterior de bienes y servicios es muy relevante para Turquía, pues representa 
alrededor del 60% del PIB. Si bien se aprecia dentro de sus cifras de exportaciones una clara tendencia a aumentar las ventas de bienes con mayor valor agregado, la agricultura sigue siendo 
una parte importante de su economía, siendo el séptimo productor agrícola en el mundo.   
4.26.  Por esto, no es de sorprender la diversidad de acciones que adelanta el país en pro de 
diversificar sus socios comerciales. Al interior de la OMC, Turquía ha sido un participante activo en 
las negociaciones y ha reiterado su compromiso con alcanzar resultados significativos y 
balanceados, con un claro interés por los temas del desarrollo y de construcción de capacidad, especialmente para los PMAs.  
4.27.  Es clara la relevancia de su relacionamiento con la Unión Europea, quien es su principal 
socio comercial. Turquía tiene un acuerdo de libre comercio con la AELC y forma parte de la Asociación Euromediterránea. Resaltamos que desde 2011 han entrado en vigor Acuerdos con Chile, Jordania, Corea del Sur, Malasia y Mauricio, con otras negociaciones en curso. Cabe resaltar 
que desde el 30 de junio de 2013 Turquía se conv irtió en país observador de la Alianza del 
Pacífico.   
4.28.  Si bien su mayor relacionamiento con el mundo es necesario para avanzar en la 
diversificación de mercados, notamos los retos que presenta la administración de dicha red de 
acuerdos (especialmente su Unión Aduanera con la UE), sus compromisos en la OMC y la existencia de esquemas preferenciales como el SGP. 
4.29.  En cuanto a aspectos puntuales que recogen los informes elaborados para este examen, 
resaltamos los siguientes.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.30.  En materia arancelaria, hay un espacio importante en el que se podría trabajar. El promedio 
arancelario consolidado es relativamente elevad o, especialmente para productos agropecuarios 
(72%), además de la existencia de diversas crestas. Varios de estos asuntos esperamos puedan resolverse en el marco de las negociaciones, siendo uno de los más relevantes el elevado nivel de 
líneas arancelarias por consolidar.  
4.31.  En agricultura, el informe de la Secretaría  señala que durante el período de examen no se 
han presentado ante el Comité las notificaciones en materia de ayuda interna y subvenciones. Otra 
información disponible arroja que se mantienen niveles de ayuda relativamente elevados frente a 
otros miembros de la OCDE, al tiempo que se han aumentado los pagos basados por producción, con efectos distorsivos en el mercado. Confiamos que Turquía presentará pronto las notificaciones pendientes.  
4.32.  En el campo de las medidas de defensa comercial, durante el período objeto de examen 
notamos una importante actividad en materia de investigaciones antidumping, campo en el que se han impuesto 14 nuevas medidas. Turquía es a su vez uno de los Miembros con más medidas de 
salvaguardia adoptadas.  
4.33.  Apreciamos los avances en materia de facilitación del comercio, incluyendo la 
implementación del programa de operadores económicos autorizados y la puesta en marcha de la 
ventanilla única. Es de anotar que Turquía asumió compromisos sustanciales en torno a la 
implementación del Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio, designando en Categoría A casi todas sus disposiciones.  
4.34.  Finalmente, resaltamos el importante papel de la inversión extranjera en la economía turca. 
Desde el 2012 se han venido implementando nuevos incentivos a la inversión extranjera directa, 
de cara a estimular el desarrollo regional, impulsar la producción y disminuir el desempleo. Aun así, subsisten restricciones en varios sectores.  
4.35.  Un proverbio turco señala que "un árbol no se corta de un solo golpe". En pos de esa gran 
visión de país que se han fijado, hay un gran número de acciones que emprender.  
4.36.  El examen realizado durante el día de hoy nos ha mostrado algunas áreas en las que es 
posible introducir mejoras, con miras a agilizar sus operaciones comerciales y especialmente a dar 
mayor certeza a los operadores económicos. Hay una tarea importante en cuanto de su relacionamiento con terceros países, y hay aspectos que seguramente se discutirán y negociarán en la OMC en materia de acceso a su mercado.  
4.37.  Con esto, le deseamos muchos éxitos en este examen y esperamos que las 
recomendaciones que surjan le sean útiles para alcanzar esa gran meta que se ha fijado. 
SINGAPORE
 ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN 
4.38.  I am making this statement on behalf of ASEAN. 
4.39.  We would first like to express our condolen ces to the victims of the car bomb attack which 
took place in central Ankara on Sunday. ASEAN stands in solidarity with the Turkish Government 
and people in the condemnation of such heinous acts of terror.  
4.40.  Turkey’s trade with ASEAN has grown four -fold in the past 10 years, making it one of 
ASEAN’s top trading partners with a total trade volume of US$7.6 billion in 2014.  
4.41.  Since Turkey’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2010, 
Turkey has actively engaged with ASEAN Members ac ross sectors, including on the trade front. To 
date, Turkey has concluded bilateral FTAs with Malaysia and Singapore, and is pursuing FTAs with Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam.  
4.42.  ASEAN also appreciates Turkey’s assistance in supporting the developmental efforts of 
ASEAN Member States. The Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency has been active in providing development assistance to ASEAN thro ugh various projects totalling US$6.3 million.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.43.  ASEAN commends Turkey’s active participation in the multilateral trading system and for its 
role at the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. 
4.44.  Some of us in ASEAN have submitted wri tten questions to Turkey and we thank Turkey in 
advance for their written responses. We also express our thanks to Ambassador Haluk Ilicak and 
his delegation for their constructive engagement with all ASEAN delegations here in Geneva. 
SINGAPORE 4.45.  I will now deliver a statement in Singapore’s national capacity.  
4.46.  Singapore and Turkey enjoy strong bila teral relations, underpinned by longstanding 
historical ties and the exchange of high level vi sits. In 2014, both our Prime Ministers signed the 
Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership, which paved the way for the exploration of further trade and investment flows between our respective regions.  
4.47.  In November 2015, we signed the Turk ey-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which was 
Turkey’s first comprehensive FTA in a single unde rtaking. We hope that the FTA can be ratified 
swiftly and enter into force as soon as possible so that businesses in Singapore and Turkey can 
benefit soon from this high-quality Agreement.  
4.48.  Today, there is a sizeable number of Turkish companies based in Singapore and vice versa, 
who make very visible contributions – literally and figuratively – to our economies. The generators 
and power for the Formula 1 Grand Prix Night race in Singapore is supplied by a Turkish company, 
GenPower. Singapore companies, including those in the healthcare, infrastructure and urban 
solutions sectors are also increasingly interested  in doing business in Turkey. It is therefore 
important for Singapore and Turkey to work together to enhance connectivity, and facilitate the 
bilateral flow of goods and services through a va riety of means, such as ensuring smooth customs 
procedures and access to ports. We welcome Tu rkey’s ratification of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and look forward to the deposit of the instrument of ratification this week. 
4.49.  2016 marks Turkey’s 20th year as a Member  to the WTO. Turkey is a strong supporter of 
the multilateral system. We welcome the contri butions that Turkey has made to the system, 
including Turkey’s acceptance of the TRIPS Protocol. We note Turkey’s mixed compliance with its 
WTO notification obligations. We urge Turkey to address all pending notifications, some of which, 
such as those pertaining to agriculture, have been outstanding for many years now; and to fulfil all its WTO notification obligations. We also note wi th concern that Turkey remains one of the top ten 
users for anti-dumping and safeguard measures. We  encourage Turkey to review and reconsider 
its active use of trade remedy measures.  
4.50.  Finally, the Singapore delegation in Geneva  has always enjoyed excellent working relations 
with Ambassador Haluk Ilicak and his very able team in Geneva. We look forward to continuing 
this excellent working relationship towards our common goal of upholding the multilateral trading 
system. 
JAPAN 
4.51.  It is a pleasure for Japan to take part in  the TPR meeting of Turkey , but, first of all, in 
relation to the large number of casualties arising from an incident in Ankara, Japan extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families, an d expresses its heartfelt sympathy to those who 
were injured. 
4.52.  Needless to say, we, Japan and Turkey, have been important partners for years, from both 
the economic and political aspect. Japan will make continuous efforts to maintain and further develop the strong ties between us. 
General matters 
4.53.   According to the Secretariat’s report, the real GDP growth of Turkey peaked at 2010 and, 
since then, had declined to 2.9% in 2014. However, we are glad to see the latest Asian WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  Development Bank’s Outlook, which notes that Turkey’s economy has recovered with an estimated 
GDP growth rate of 3.8% in 2015 and Turkey wi ll maintain this positive trend in 2016.  
4.54.  Turkey’s economy has structural vulnerabilities with a relatively low saving rate resulting in 
high dependency on FDI inflows. It also has a relatively low added value industrial structure 
leading to severe competition with lower-middle-income countries and so forth. Besides its 
structural vulnerabilities, Turkey is now facing geo-political crisis in this region and a massive influx of refugees. 
4.55.  We positively evaluate Turkey for its effo rts to address these vulnerabilities and challenges. 
These include the formulation and implementation  of Turkey`s national  strategy, "Vision 2023", 
including comprehensive public policies focusing on sustainable economic growth such as policies 
to enhance and diversify industrial structure and facilitate sophisticated social infrastructure. 
Turkey also includes ambitious and specific objectiv es in its national strategy. Two of these are to 
increase its nominal GDP to over US$2 trillion an d become one of the top-10 countries in terms of 
nominal GDP. Again, we commend these specific objectives and expect Turkey to successfully 
implement its national strategy. 
Trade policies Trade structure 
4.56.   Now let me turn to Turkey’s trade polici es. Overall, Turkey’s economy can be characterized 
by its high dependency on international trade. The total amount of trade made up 58.2% of the 
country`s GDP during the period from 2012 to 2014, which is relatively high. 
4.57.  The other characteristic of its trade stru cture is, as we mentioned previously, Turkey’s 
relatively low value-added industrial structure. 
4.58.   We believe that these two causes, namely high dependency on trade and low value-added 
industrial structure make Turkey’s economy more vulnerable to exogenous shocks. 
4.59.  For the same reason, we also commend "Turkish Exports Strategy for 2023" whose 
objectives are to increase the amount of export by 12% annually and attain 1.5% share in the total world export market.  
WTO 
4.60.   About the WTO, we were glad to hear that Turkey completed internal procedures and 
ratified the TFA this morning.  
G20, FTAs, EPAs, RTAs 
4.61.  Turkey has for years now fully committed itself to trade liberalization.  
4.62.  Firstly, its hosting of the G20 trade minist ers meeting and the Antalya summit is still fresh 
in our minds. We positively evaluate the G20’s recognition that global trade and investment 
continue to be important engines of economic growth and development. 
4.63.  Second, Turkey has vigorously engaged in  negotiations of FTAs. For now, FTAs with 
18 countries including the EU, Israel and Chile have  already been brought into force. In addition, 
Turkey has launched initiatives which led to negotiations with several countries, including the US 
and Canada. With regard to the EPA with Japan, we have been entering into negotiations since 
December 2014. 
4.64.  Japan commends Turkey’s positive efforts to liberalize its international trade and hopes that 
its FTAs and EPAs will complement and strengthen the MTS. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  Concerns 
4.65.  In spite of these positive elements, still there are a few concerns. 4.66.  Our first concern is about restrictions on employment of foreign workers. According to the 
Ministry of Labor and Social Security, employers who request work permits for one foreign 
employee must employ at least five Turkish citize ns. Although there is some flexibility in its 
operation, the restriction is still a serious obstacle to Japanese companies’ business expansion. We believe this restriction could eventually give nega tive effect on employment of Turkish workers. 
We encourage Turkey to review this me asure to allow much more flexibility. 
4.67.  Second, according to the Secretariat's report, the public interest about intellectual Property 
rights are now growing. However, Turkey still ha s left plenty of rooms for improvement on its 
protection system for IPR, as we see in the practices of data exclusivity period for medicinal 
products, or with the legal certainty of patent system, such as the existence of non-examined 
patents, or the possibility of granting compulsory licenses based on the non-use of the patent. We have heard that the IPR draft law is ready to be proposed to the Parliament. We expect the draft 
law to include appropriate measures of improved pr otections of the IP rights and to be enacted as 
soon as possible. 
4.68.  Third, according to the Secretariat’s report, Turkey has not notified the WTO committee on 
Agriculture of its domestic support programmes despite the fact that it has implemented high 
supports over the period 2003-2014, according to th e Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. 
Turkey also has not notified the WTO CoA of its export subsidies notifications. Japan requests 
Turkey to provide us with further explanations about notification. 
4.69.  In conclusion, I would like to express ou r strong wish to continue cooperation between 
Turkey and Japan.  
UKRAINE 
4.70.  First of all, on behalf of Ukraine I would li ke to express sincere condolences to the victims of 
horrible terrorist attack in Ankara last weekend. Ukraine condemns the terrorism in all its forms. 
4.71.  Turkey is one of Ukraine’s important econom ic partners, and the results of the fifth session 
of Ukraine-Turkey High Level Strategic Council (at the level of Heads of States) held last week 
proved the enhancement of strategic alliance between our countries. 
4.72.  Ukraine is confident that efficient and ac tive development of Ukraine-Turkey cooperation, 
the strategic partnership will promote changes for the better in the entire region. 
4.73.  Recently, our countries have also agreed to intensify negotiations on completion a Free 
Trade Agreement and held successive round of negotiations in Ankara. 
4.74.  Ukraine also values the cooperation with Turkey across the work in the WTO. 
4.75.  Turning to the TPR, Ukraine submitted a se ries of questions on a range of the following 
topics: trade and investment regime, regional an d preferential agreements, applied MFN duties, 
agriculture, business framework etc. 
4.76.  Ukraine has asked Turkey to clarify some provisions concerning Turkey-EU Customs Union 
and market access to Turkey for other countries within the context of this Customs Union.  
4.77.  Ukraine has noticed that according to the Table 3.2 contained in paragraph 3.34 (page 52) 
applied tariff rates exceed the bound tariff rates and asked for some clarifications on that issue. 
Ukraine has submitted some questions on SMEs development, in particular National 
Entrepreneurship Strategy and Action Plan of Turkey, impact of Turkey-EU Customs Union on SMEs development. 
4.78.  Regarding agriculture, we have asked for information on state support for agricultural 
products, export of which tends to increase (according to the Table 4.3 in Paragraph 4.8, WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  page 123), with the respect to some commodities such as sugar confectionary; chocolate; 
sunflower-seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil; tomatoes.  
4.79.  Ukraine is also interested in preconditions for applying increased import duty rates (up to 
150%, by the way, unprecedented for Ukraine) for some agricultural products to protect 
appropriate agricultural sectors in accordance with provision of paragraph 3.30.   
4.80.  Also, we have asked Turkey to provide de tailed information on the activity of the Turkish 
Grain Board. 
4.81.  Ukraine’s delegation would like to thank Tu rkey’s delegation for the respective answers to 
our questions, and we are going to submit the follow-up questions according to the procedure. 
4.82.  We also would like to express our apprecia tion to the delegation of Turkey for their hard 
work in preparing for this TPR. 
EUROPEAN  UNION 
4.83.  I would like to express our sincere condolences and solidarity with the Turkish people and 
the Government after the recent bomb attack in Ankara.  
4.84.  Turkey's economy resisted well the effects of the financial crisis, even if after a post-
recessionary boom in 2010-2011 growth has somewhat  slowed to an annual average of about 3%. 
In recent years, Turkey's economic performance ha s been negatively affected by the conflicts in 
neighbouring countries and their repercussions. 
4.85.  Trade is particularly important for Turkey. In fact, trade in goods and services represented 
about 60% of Turkey's GDP in 2014. During the re view period, the authorities have started to 
develop a strategy to reduce the current account deficit. There are two components to the 
strategy: an export part (with the goal to in crease exports by 12% annually until 2023) and an 
import part aiming at reducing dependence on im ports by encouraging the use of domestic inputs. 
It will of course be important for Turkey to ensure that this strategy is carried out in full respect of 
WTO rules. 
4.86.  The EU and Turkey enjoy a very close an d special relationship that cannot be solely 
described in economic terms. In the context of this review, I would like to highlight the three 
following elements. 
4.87.  First, the EU remains Turkey's main trade and investment partner, whilst Turkey is the EU's 
fifth partner. Bilateral trade reached €140 billion in 2015 and represents about 40% of the total trade of Turkey. Two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment inflows into Turkey originated in the EU 
over the past years.  
4.88.  Second, Turkey is a candidate country for a ccession to the EU. To support this process, the 
EU cooperates with and assists Turkey in its efforts to align with "the EU acquis" (the body of EU 
law that underpins, inter alia , the internal market and the EU trade policy). Further alignment to 
the EU acquis significantly facilitates Turkey's implementation of the relevant WTO legal framework.  
4.89.  Thirdly, the EU and Turkey are part of a Customs Union. In May last year we decided to 
modernize our Customs Union in order to improve its functioning and expand the scope of the bilateral preferential framework. Such modernization could consist, for example, in covering very significant sectors such as public procurement or services. However, modernizing the Customs 
Union or expanding our bilateral relationship is an ambitious and important goal. The success of 
our effort depends on full implementation of the rules of the customs union and on our capacity to 
find solutions to some challenges that we are currently experiencing. In this respect, let me 
mention Turkey's restrictive import procedures for "second hand goods", and surveillance 
measures based on the setting of a minimum im port reference price. Both measures often 
materialize into burdensome and discriminatory treatment. Also, the EU pharmaceutical sector 
faces huge difficulties to enter the Turkish ma rket because of the lack of recognition of 
international certificates on Good Manufacturing Practices.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.90.  Therefore, we would like to use the opportunity of this review today to convey our strong 
encouragement to our partners in Turkey to take without delay the necessary measures to fully implement the Customs Union vis à vis all EU Member States and in all its aspects. This would greatly facilitate progress towards an enhanced bilateral relationship.  
4.91.  Regarding Foreign Direct Investment, Turkey's attraction of FDI seems to have decreased 
during the review period. Of course, one cannot ex clude the impact of the geopolitical situation; 
still, there are important factors on which the Government can work in order to improve the 
business climate. Economic operators and the members of this Organization look for proper 
notifications, inclusive consultation processes, transparent decisions and full application of existing regulations. Economic actors need sufficient tran sitional periods when regulations are changed. 
Legal security, including enforcement of legislation and the independent functioning of the judicial 
system is a prerequisite for attracting investors and for business to stay. 
4.92.  Regarding transparency, which is a cornerston e of this Organization, the EU strongly regrets 
that Turkey has not been able to fulfil the mini mum WTO notification requirements for agriculture, 
in particular, but not only, on different aid schemes  and on agricultural support. Turkey should also 
clarify other elements of its policies such as export  subsidies, import licenses and agricultural state 
trading enterprises. 
4.93.  On trade facilitation, we are pleased to note  that Turkey ratified the TFA last January. This 
could also create an opportunity for Turkey to consider that resorting to more risk analysis could be an avenue worth exploring to expedite legitimate trade transactions and to remove trade obstacles. On intellectual property rights, counterfeiting and enforcement of patents remain issues 
of concern. On services, we have asked for certain clarifications, in particular regarding telecoms 
and postal services. Finally, on public procuremen t, we regret to note that the recently revised 
legislation has not eliminated the domestic preference, but maintained a number of exemptions 
and introduced civilian off-sets. We trust that our concerns will be addressed in the legislative 
reform process planned for the end of this year. 
4.94.  Given our very special and strong bilateral relationship with Turkey, the EU takes great 
interest in this TPR. We are confident that it will provide valuable feedback to the Turkish 
authorities and help to further identify and refine  the means to achieve their trade objectives and 
to strengthen Turkey's position in international trade.  
KINGDOM
 OF SAUDI  ARABIA 
4.95.  I would like to extend our deepest condolences and solidarity to the Government and people 
of Turkey in connection with the tragedy of the terrorist attacks of last week. Our thoughts and 
prayers are with the victims and their fa milies and all the citizens of Turkey. 
4.96.  The Trade Policy Review reports prepared by the Government of Tu rkey and the Secretariat 
reveal the resiliency of the Turkish economy.  Despite the financial crisis, the unfavourable 
geopolitical context in the region and the associat ed influx of refugees, Turkey’s economy remains 
strong, open and transparent.  
4.97.  Turkey is the 17th largest economy in the wo rld. The economy grew at the rate of 4% in the 
third quarter of 2015 and according to OECD’s 2015 economic forecast summery; the country’s 
GDP growth is expected to increase to abov e 4% in 2017. Economic performance during the 
review period has been supported by comprehensive economic policy programs, solid domestic 
demand, robust public finances, industrial prod uction, private investment and resilient banking 
sector.  
4.98.  Open trade is clearly vital for Turkey as it  continues its development and growth. We note in 
particular the Government's objective of enhancing Turkey's share of global trade and moving Turkey into a higher position in global value chains through its Tenth Development Plan (2014-18). 
Turkey is to be commended for the economic and financial reforms undertaken including Turkey’s 
Vision 2023 to set out multiple objectives for manu facturing, SME’s Strategy and Action Plan for 
2015-2018, IPR strategies, Turkey's TURQUALITY  programme to support Turkish brands in 
international markets, Health's Strategic Action  Plan 2013-17, Turkish Exports Strategy for 2023 
and Input Supply Strategy and investment incentives and schemes to promote foreign investment. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.99.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkey  are prominent trading partners. Our bilateral 
business ties are being steadily expanded and further strengthened by continuous interaction and cooperation. Trade exchange between the two countries surpassed US$8 billion in 2014.  
4.100.  Turkey’s exports to Saudi Arabia are mainly composed of automotive, clothing and textiles, 
iron and steel, fruits, vegetables and other agricu ltural products. Around 80% of Turkey’s imports 
are crude oil. The Saudi-Turkish Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and Business Council constitute bilateral mechanisms to enhance cooperation in trade and investment.  
4.101.  As an original Member of the WTO, Turkey is an active Member of this Organization and an 
active supporter of the multilateral trading system.  
4.102.  In this regard, I would like to appreciate the active role of H.E. Ambassador M. Haluk Ilicak 
and his delegation in WTO negotiations and other activities at large.  
HONG
 KONG,  CHINA 
4.103.  Hong Kong, China would also like to join others in expressing our deepest condolences to 
all those affected by the bombing incident in An kara, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery.  
General 
4.104.  Hong Kong, China (HKC) and Turkey en joy a healthy and mutually beneficial trade 
relationship. Indeed, our exports of silver and platinum, jewellery, precious metals, printed matter, 
and textiles to Turkey recorded a phenomenal growth in 2014. We earnestly hope that our 
common economic interests will not only enable us to take our bilateral trade to a new level, but will also translate into closer partnership in the WTO, as well as joint efforts to strengthen the multilateral trading system. 
Specific topics 
Trade Facilitation 4.105.  One area of WTO work that both of us atta ch great importance to it is trade facilitation. 
Since the last review, Turkey has put in place a number of new measures, including a Single 
Window for the submission of customs documents and an Authorised Economic Operator programme for certified companies. We commend in particular Turkey’s decision to designate 
nearly all its commitments in Section I of the Ag reement on Trade Facilitation under Category A, 
for full implementation upon entry into force. We are delighted to learn that the ratification process 
has been completed and welcome Turkey’s deposit of the instrument of acceptance this week. 
Services 
4.106.  As Turkey rightly pointed out in its Government Report, domestic reforms can increase a 
country’s competitiveness and help it move up the global supply chains. We appreciate the regulatory reforms that Turkey has undertaken in various services sectors such as financial, 
healthcare, and distribution services. Given that se rvices is a dominant and growing contributor to 
Turkey’s GDP, it is certainly in the country’s interest to further liberalise this regime. 
Investment 
4.107.  At the moment, restrictions remain in a variety of sectors including maritime transport, 
port services, accounting and financial services. As Turkey strives to attract foreign direct 
investment through its many incentive programmes and free zones, we hope it would also relax its investment restrictions. 
State-owned Enterprises 
4.108.  Privatisation of state-owned enterprises will create further investment opportunities. Good 
progress has been made, with more than 200 enterprises completely privatized by 
September 2015. However, SOEs are still prevalent in many key sectors including manufacturing, WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  agriculture, transport, banking, and telecommuni cations. We encourage Turkey to step up its 
privatization efforts, not only for the benefit of foreign investors, but also to promote competition and diversity. 
Tariffs 
4.109.  Another area of reform that Turkey may wi sh to consider is simplification of its rather 
complex tariff structure and abolition of nuisance rates. At present, specific, compound, mixed and variable duties affect 275 tariff lines at the 12-digit level. Adopting ad valorem  rates will enhance 
predictability. We also note with concern the Secretariat’s observation that at least 47 tariff lines 
appear to have higher applied rates than the bound rates. We hope this issue can be addressed in a timely manner. 
4.110.  Tariff reduction is, of course, equally impo rtant as a means of liberalizing and promoting 
trade. HKC, together with Turkey and some othe r WTO Members, are negotiating an agreement to 
cut tariffs for environmental goods, the outcome of which will benefit the entire WTO membership. Indeed, duty-free items already account for 23.5% of all Turkey’s tariff lines. However, the MFN 
applied rates for agricultural products as a whole still stand high, at 49%, with 76 tariff lines 
reaching 225%. Turkey being the world’s 7th largest producer of agricultural products, we encourage it to reduce the level of protection  in the sector, and minimize the use of trade 
distorting measures. In this connection, we understand that domestic support programmes 
involving huge amounts of direct payments did exis t but had not been notified to the WTO during 
the review period. We urge for greater transparency in this regard. 
Contingency Measures 
4.111.  At the same time, we note that Turkey  is one of the top ten users of anti-dumping 
measures in the WTO. It is also the third biggest user of safeguard measures since the WTO’s inception. As frequent remedy actions could distor t the free flow of international trade, Turkey may 
wish to exercise greater restraint in the use of such measures. 
Concluding remarks 4.112.  Finally, I would like to congratulate Turkey  on the prominent role it plays in international 
economic fora, notably during its G20 Term Presidency last year. Emerging from the global 
recession after 2009, Turkey’s own economy has also seen a strong rebound. The next milestone will be Vision 2023 when Turkey aspires to be on e of the top ten economies in the world. Achieving 
the targets will require diversification of markets and sectors, as well as movement up the value 
chains. We believe trade liberalization is an essential catalyst for this process. We hope to see 
Turkey making more ambitious commitments to th is end, and wish Turkey every success in its 
endeavours.  
SWITZERLAND 
4.113.  We wish to extend to the delegation of Turkey a very warm welcome to this Trade Policy 
Review and join others in expressing our sinc ere condolences on the attack and tragic losses 
suffered in Ankara again last Sunday.  
4.114.  Switzerland appreciates the comprehens ive information provided by Turkey and the 
Secretariat on developments since the last TPR.  
4.115.  We note and commend the continued growth of Turkey’s economy and trade over the 
reporting period despite a challenging environment. 
4.116.  For Switzerland, Turkey is an important partner country. In bilateral merchandise trade, 
based on what is today EFTA’s and Turkey’s longest-serving free trade agreement, it has been in 
force since 1992, the overall value has roughly tripled over the last decade to reach about 
US$8 billion with a trade balance turned distinctly positive in favour of Turkey for the first time in 2015. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.117.  Switzerland also has a sizeable bilateral services trade and ranks among the top dozen 
countries for foreign investment in Turkey, with currently about 26’000 employed by Swiss companies in Turkey. In reflection of these broa der dimension of economic ties, negotiations are 
under way aimed at extending the existing FTA between EFTA and Turkey beyond the area of 
trade in goods. Furthermore, a bilateral Double Taxation Agreement entered into force in 2013. 
4.118.  In the framework of this TPR, Switzerl and has submitted a range of questions, and we 
thank Turkey for the replies just received. 
4.119.  Let me highlight just a few points touched upon in our questions. 
4.120.  With respect to subsidies, we note that Turkey has not notified its domestic support or 
export subsidy programmes to the Committee on Agri culture for many years. This is a matter of 
concern as we consider the observance of transparency obligations as essential for a well-
functioning multilateral trading system. We look forward to the implementation by Turkey of the 
Nairobi Ministerial Decision on export competition in agriculture. 
4.121.  As part of Turkey’s policy to review and reform environmentally problematic agricultural 
practices, Switzerland would like to invite Turkey to consider reducing or abolishing fossil fuels 
subsidies, notably the support for diesel fuel. 
4.122.  We note Turkey’s decision to remove im ported medicines from the reimbursement list in 
favour of locally produced pharmaceuticals. In our view, this raises questions under the non-
discrimination rules of the GATT. 
4.123.  In the area of trade remedies, Turkey co ntinues to be among the most frequent users of 
anti-dumping measures, with 14 new such measures imposed since 2012, and more than 140 in 
place by 2015. We would like to express our conc erns about such extensive recourse to trade 
remedies, which tend to negatively impact competition, international value chains and the world economy. 
4.124.  With respect to IPR, Switzerland welcomes Turkey’s ongoing reforms and action plan 
particularly in the field of protection of geographical indications. We will follow with interest the further measures implementing the respective strategy. 
4.125.  Still in the field of IPR, we would like to question the compatibility with the TRIPS 
Agreement of the term of protection for undisclosed information as submitted for the marketing authorization procedure. 
4.126.  Switzerland appreciates the active role play ed by Turkey in the WTO - a role enhanced by 
Turkey’s unique position between East and West, North and South, as well as its status as a major 
developing country, G20 and OECD member. 
4.127.  We would like to specia lly applaud Turkey’s support for the Trade Facilit ation Agreement 
and the announcement just made on the ratification of that important instrument.    
4.128.  We look forward to Turkey’s further engagement for the multilateral trading system. Areas 
where we would particularly like to encourage Turkey to consider steps in due course include the 
low binding coverage of its tariff schedule for industrial products and significant gaps between 
bound and applied rates, as well as participation in the Government Procurement Agreement, based on the ongoing domestic reform process.  
THE
 SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU 
4.129.  At the outset, let me express my sincer e and profound sympathy and condolences to the 
people and Government of Turkey for the loss of li ves in the terrorist attack happened in Ankara 
two days ago. 
4.130.  Turkey has made great economic strides in the recent years. We recognize that the 
Turkish Government has continued to implement ambitious and decisive economic programmes, leading Turkey to be the 17th largest economy in the world, with high growth rates not only in its WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  industrial and services sectors, but also in the agriculture sector. Such an achievement is very 
impressive indeed. 
4.131.  However, Turkey’s vulnerability to capital inflows, high current account deficit and 
inflation, along with the geopolitical risks and the associated influx of refugees have posed 
challenges to Turkey. My delegation is delighted to learn that Turkey has already taken most of 
the actions and reforms needed to deal with these challenges.  
4.132.  We are encouraged by the fact that Turkey  has always been actively engaged and played a 
significant role in the multilateral trading system. In particular, we appreciate the valuable 
contribution of Ambassador Haluk Ilicak to the work of the WTO and we would like to continue the close working relationship between our two missions in Geneva. 
4.133.  We have submitted written questions in advance to seek further clarification on certain 
aspects of Turkey’s policy direction and approach. We are grateful to Turkey for its responses, 
which we shall be reviewing very carefully. 
4.134.  I will just mention a few issues in which my delegation has particular interests or concerns.  
4.135.  On tariffs, we are concerned that Turkey increased its applied tariffs in response to 
requests by domestic producers. Furthermore, it appears that for 47 tariff lines, the applied MFN rates exceed bound rates. We would like to ur ge the Turkish Government to ensure Turkey’s 
compliance with its WTO commitments. 
4.136.  We take particular note of Turkey's increased use of safeguard and anti-dumping 
measures. We have concerns over some investigation processes on the areas of trade remedies. However, we welcome the recent termination of the safeguard investigation on mobile phones by 
the Turkish Government. We would like to encourage Turkey to adopt positive measures which 
accelerate the development of its domestic industries, rather than using trade remedy measures. 
4.137.  We would encourage Turkey to make a further commitment to become a Party to the GPA, 
given the expanded market access coverage in the Revised GPA and the growing membership to 
the Agreement. This would increase predictabi lity, transparency, and competition in public 
procurement in Turkey, and generate new opportunities for its business community. 
4.138.  We are happy to learn about the comple tion of Turkey’s ratification on the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement (TFA) which was announced by Mr. Dilemre. We will continue to work closely with Turkey in the EGA negotiations, aiming at an early conclusion. 
4.139.  On the bilateral front, Turkey was our 8t h largest trading partner in Europe. Total two-way 
trade was around US$1.7 billion in 2015. In recent years, we enjoy a growing closer engagement 
in the areas of investment and industrial cooperation. We welcome the launch of the direct flights between Istanbul and Taipei earlier this month. This will definitely further promote the bilateral 
tourism and trade between our two economies. We  therefore believe that there are still much 
more potentials for greater economic cooperation and trade expansion in the future for both of our economies. 
REPUBLIC
 OF KOREA 
4.140.  First of all, on behalf of the Korean de legation, let me express the deepest condolences to 
the Turkish people and Government on the horrible terrorist attack in Ankara. 
Economic performance of Turkey 
4.141.  It is noted that Turkey’s economy and tr ade continued to grow steadily over the review 
period even though it is experiencing an econom ic slowdown due to the doldrums of global trade 
and economy. Korea also take note of Turkey’s efforts to complete ratification of Trade Facilitation 
agreement, enlarge its FTAs with its trading partners such as Korea, and streamline its regulation 
of TBT and SPS.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.142.  As of now, Turkey is facing several challenges including geopolitical instability as 
mentioned in the Secretariat report. It is our hope  that Turkey will address these challenges and 
achieve sustained economic growth by further re forming its economic system to increase its 
effectiveness under its plan "Vision 2023". 
Bilateral economic relationship 
4.143.  During the review period, Turkey and Korea have established comprehensive and strong 
economic relations. In May 2013, the FTA for good s between Turkey and Korea entered into force, 
and last year both countries agreed to expand the FTA to the field of investment and services. 
4.144.  Based on this close economic partnership, bilateral trade volume between the two 
countries has increased from US$5.2 billion in 2012 to US$7.3 billion in 2014. Korea’s direct investment in Turkey has increased to US$1.5 b illion and last year more than 250,000 Korean 
tourists visited Turkey.  
4.145.  Although trade figures show some imbalances, it is clear that Turkey and Korea are 
developing comprehensive and strong economic relations which take into account broader aspects 
including investment, employment, and tourism. 
Issues of interest and concern to Korea 4.146.  Let me now turn to some areas of particul ar interest and concern with respect to Turkey’s 
economic and trade policies and measures. 
4.147.  First, Korea would like to express its concern about the significant use of anti-dumping and 
safeguard measures by Turkey. Turkey is, follow ing India and the U.S., the third most frequent 
user of trade remedy measures against Korean exports. Turkey has initiated 16 investigations and 
imposed eleven anti-dumping and safeguard measures on Korean products.  
4.148.  Korea would like to kindly request Turkey to be more cautious in its use of trade remedy 
measures and to proceed with the relevant processes in a careful manner according to the WTO 
rules. In this context, Korea appreciates Turkey ’s notification this March that the safeguard 
investigation on cellular phones has been terminated with no safeguard measure imposed.  
4.149.  Second, Korea welcomes Turkey’s effort to reform its economy by privatizing its SOEs. 
With respect to Türk Telecom, despite the announcement of its further privatization, the Turkish 
state treasury still owns 30% of Türk Telecom’s shares. Considering Türk Telecom dominates 85% of the fixed telecommunication market, competition is not sufficient in the market.  
4.150.  Korea believes that further reform in this  area would be needed for efficient and fair 
competition. In this regard, Korea would like to ask if Turkey has a plan to fully privatize Türk 
Telecom and also whether Turkey has developed any specific plans to promote more competition in the market. 
Turkey’s leadership in the multilateral trading system 
4.151.  Last year, Turkey showed its leadership by hosting the G20 Antalya Leaders Summit very 
successfully. It is our hope that the same leadership will be replicated in the WTO and that Turkey 
will continue to play a role in strengthening multilateral trading systems.  
CHILE 4.152.  Permítame expresar en primer lugar nuestras condolencias y solidaridad para con el pueblo 
turco por los terribles sucesos acaecidos en Ankara recientemente.  
4.153.  Las relaciones entre Chile y Turquía datan de la firma del Tratado de Amistad del 30 
de enero de 1926.  
4.154.  En general, la relación bilateral ha sido de excelente nivel y lo que se ha visto reflejado en 
las múltiples visitas de Jefes de Estado de uno y otro país siendo la última de éstas, la que realizó WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  a Chile el presidente Recep Tayyip Erdogan el pasado 31 de enero de este año, en el marco de la 
celebración de los 90 años de relaciones diplomáticas entre ambos países. 
4.155.  Durante dicha visita, las respectivas agencias de Cooperación Internacional acordaron 
profundizar sus relaciones para diseñar proyectos de cooperación triangular en América Latina, 
África y Medio Oriente. 
4.156.  También las respectivas autoridades de transporte aéreo suscribieron un memorándum de 
entendimiento entre con el objetivo de elaborar en el corto plazo un acuerdo de servicios aéreos 
entre ambos países. 
4.157.  Además, durante la visita se realizó el tercer Encuentro Empresarial entre Chile y Turquía 
organizado por la Sociedad de Fomento fabril de Chile y el Foro de Relaciones Económicas de Turquía DEIK. En este contexto, se anunció el obje tivo de duplicar el intercambio comercial entre 
ambos países a un volumen que alcance los 1.000 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2016. 
Intercambio comercial 4.158.  En 2015, el intercambio comercial entre Chile y Turquía sumó 559 millones de dólares 
EE.UU., con exportaciones chilenas por un monto de 315 millones de dólares EE.UU. e 
importaciones desde ese país, por un valor de 244 millones de dólares EE.UU. 
4.159.  El Tratado de Libre Comercio entre Chile y Turquía, permite que más del 96% del comercio 
entre ambos países quede libre de arancel a partir de la entrada en vigencia del TLC y los 
productos restantes, incluidos en el cronograma de desgravación, sean liberados en un plazo máximo de 6 años. 
4.160.  El Acuerdo incluye capítulos de acceso a mercado, medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, 
obstáculos técnicos al comercio, normas de origen, procedimientos aduaneros, medidas de 
salvaguardia, solución de controversia y disposiciones legales y ha tenido un efecto muy positivo en los dos países.  
4.161.  De hecho, en los últimos cinco años, las exportaciones chilenas no cobre a ese país han 
crecido un 16%, mientras que nuestras importaciones desde la economía turca, si excluimos petróleo, han aumentado en un 12%.  
Examen de políticas comerciales 
4.162.  Durante el presente examen, Turquía ha exhibido numerosas reformas y modificaciones 
con vistas a lograr su objetivo para 2023, por la cual se propone convertir en una de las 10 principales economías del mundo. Un objetivo ambicioso que requerirá serios esfuerzos, en 
diversas áreas. Por ejemplo:  
4.163.  En materia aduanera como refleja el informe de la Secretaría, llama la atención el 
incremento del promedio aritmético de sus aranceles, así como lo complejo de su estructura 
arancelaria con diferencias significativas entre tipos consolidados y aplicados, derechos 
compuestos y variables, junto a impuestos y cargas adicionales que se pueden imponer a ciertas importaciones.  
4.164.  También nos llama la atención que a pesar de los esfuerzos positivos de Turquía en 
materia de facilitación de comercio manifestados en iniciativas concretas como el desarrollo de un programa de ventanilla Única y simplificación para las declaraciones previas a la llegada, tanto las 
importaciones como las exportaciones están sujetas a diversas medidas en frontera, incluyendo 
prohibiciones directas, prescripciones en materia de licencias, controles y restricciones.  
4.165.  También nos preocupa que Turquía siga recurriendo a medidas comerciales correctivas de 
salvaguardia y antidumping de la OMC, constituyéndose en el tercer miembro que más recurre al 
uso de las mismas.  
4.166.  Confiamos en que los esfuerzos de Turquía por liberalizar su comercio tiendan a revisar 
estas medidas, lo que sin duda, tendrá un impacto positivo en sus intercambios comerciales. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.167.  En materia agrícola, alentamos a Turquía a notificar al Comité de Agricultura de la OMC 
sus programas de ayuda interna y de subvenci ones a las exportaciones, que según algunas 
fuentes se han traducido en niveles de ayuda elevados en comparación con otros países de la OCDE, y los pagos basados en la producción agrope cuaria han aumentado, lo que ha dado lugar a 
distorsiones.  
4.168.  Los antecedentes que hemos tenido a la vista demuestran una economía vibrante y sólida. 
Pese a los embates que ha debido enfrentar en los últimos tiempos, Turquía ha logrado sin 
embargo mantener un crecimiento promedio del 3%. Turquía es un Miembro importante de esta 
Organización, activo en las negociaciones, constructivo y llano a buscar consenso entre sus pares, en este sentido no nos cabe sino felicitar a Turquía y desearles el mejor de los éxitos en el presente examen. 
REPÚBLICA
 DOMINICANA 
4.169.  En primer lugar deseamos expresar nuestras más sinceras condolencias al Gobierno de 
Turquía por las víctimas del atentado terrorista ocurrido en Ankara el pasado fin de semana.   
4.170.  Al ver el informe de la Secretaría, podemos ver que Turquía, como la mayoría de las 
economías, ha estado sometida, a partir del 2009, a importantes fluctuaciones en sus tasas de crecimiento, debido entre otras razones, a la crisis económica y financiera que afecta al mundo y 
que tiene lugar desde el 2008. En este sentido, la economía de Turquía muestra una importante 
vulnerabilidad a los choques externos, en particular a la falta de flujos de ingreso de capitales, en 
un ambiente de volatilidad monetaria y financiera. Es importante señalar también, la difícil situación a la que se enfrenta el país debido a la crisis de refugiados por la inestabilidad política en 
la región, así como a las importantes reducciones de la producción agrícola debido a las 
condiciones climáticas. Al ver todos estos elementos en su conjunto, podemos entender las dificultades de Turquía para mantener una tasa de crecimiento económico estable. 
4.171.  Sin embargo, consideramos que tal y como lo señala el informe de la Secretaría, pese al 
difícil entorno exterior marcado por el bajo crecimiento de la UE y el conflicto en la región de Oriente Medio, la economía y el comercio turcos siguieron creciendo en el período 2011-2015, 
aunque como ya dijimos, con importantes fluctuaciones. El crecimiento se ha basado en los costos 
relativamente bajos de la mano de obra, las buenas infraestructuras y la proximidad a la UE, su principal interlocutor comercial. En este sentido, felicitamos a Turquía por el buen manejo de la economía, frente a los importantes desafíos a los que se enfrenta.  
4.172.  Notamos con interés que el comercio es una parte importante de la economía ya que el 
comercio total de bienes y servicios aumentó del equivalente al 48% del PIB en 2010 al 60% en 2014. A partir de 2010, las exportaciones aumentaron un 38%, hasta llegar a 157.700 millones de 
dólares EE.UU. en 2014 (precios corrientes). Las importaciones de mercancías de Turquía 
ascendieron a 242.000 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2014, un aumento del 30% desde 2010. Además, el sector de los servicios es el que más contribuye al PIB (en 2014 fue del 65% del PIB). 
Entre los sectores turcos de servicios que destacan por su nivel de desarrollo e importancia cabe 
señalar los servicios financieros, el turismo y las telecomunicaciones. Damos la bienvenida a los procesos de reforma que han iniciado en algunos de estos sectores.  
4.173.  Vemos asimismo que la política comercial de Turquía en lo que al comercio preferencial se 
refiere está vinculada a la de la Unión Europea, teniendo en cuenta la unión aduanera con ésta 
última. Notamos con satisfacción que el promedio arancelario aplicado por Turquía es relativamente bajo de un 12,8%. También en el área de aduanas, se han hecho importantes 
avances, tales como: un nuevo formulario de declaración abreviada previa a la llegada; el 
desarrollo de un programa de ventanilla única, la puesta en marcha de un proyecto piloto de ventanilla única para puestos fronterizos terrestres; la implementación del programa de 
operadores económicos autorizados (OEA), y un programa de facilitación del comercio para las 
empresas certificadas como OEA.  
4.174.  En cuanto a las Empresas Comerciales del Estado, vemos también que se han hecho 
avances para exigirles que establecieran un sistema de control interno y una unidad de auditoría 
interna y someterlas a una auditoría externa inde pendiente, además de que a partir del 2013 se 
ha acelerado el proceso de privatización.   WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.175.  Por último hemos presentado preguntas a Turquía relativas a las medidas de facilitación de 
comercio, incentivos a la inversión extranjera directa, los criterios sanitarios de importación de ganado, y los sistemas de preferencia. Agradecemos las respuestas que analizaremos con interés, y para terminar deseamos a felicitar a Turquía en este examen y desearles lo mejor en el futuro.  
NEW
 ZEALAND 
4.176.  Firstly, New Zealand would like to extend condolences to the people of Turkey for the 
events in Ankara over the week-end.  
4.177.  New Zealand has an active interest in Turkey’s trade and investment policies. Our trade 
relationship with Turkey is solid, and growing, an d both countries would like to see the potential 
realised more fully. We look forward to working with Turkey to grow this relationship, including through facilitating more private sector engageme nt, and see this review as a timely and useful 
chance to identify areas of potential. 
4.178.  New Zealand congratulates Turkey on the resilie nce of its economy in the wake of both 
global and regional challenges. Based on our own ex periences, we would expect efforts to diversify 
trading partners and lessen its market dependencies to continue to pay off. With the European 
Union being Turkey’s major trading partner, we also look forward to seeing how the EU-Turkey Customs Union will be updated to reflect a more modern, comprehensive and ambitious trade 
policy agenda.  
4.179.  Turkey’s stated commitment to the WTO, to prioritizing a strong multilateral trading 
system and to resisting protectionism as a priority, is to be congratulated. As Turkey points out, 
the WTO is essential both for the smooth functioning of global trade, as well as for following an 
ambitious agenda for trade liberalisation.  
4.180.  While Turkey has demonstrated a general commitment to open trade in some sectors, this 
commitment has not always been consistently implemented. New Zealand has a particular interest 
in Turkey’s agricultural trade policy, as we expe ct other Members do as well. Turkey’s Vision 2023, 
which aims to grow Turkey into one of the worl d’s largest economies by 2023, is an important and 
ambitious objective, with Food, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry being one of its priority sectors. 
4.181.  The WTO Secretariat’s report notes that Turkey’s agricultural tariffs are particularly high, 
especially compared to other sectors. Of greater concern is that over the 4 year period of this 
assessment, and since similar comments were made  by WTO Members at Turkey’s last TPR, the 
WTO Secretariat’s report outlines that Turkey’s overall applied tariff in the agricultural sector 
increased in response to requests by domestic producers.  
4.182.  While we have some cause for concern over the nature and quantum of support being 
provided to the agriculture sector, it is difficult to have a fully informed view. This week’s TPR is 
important in this respect, but it should be possible to discuss these matters in the regular 
Committee on Agriculture rather than here every four years. It is concerning therefore that Turkey has not submitted a notification to the Committee on Agriculture on domestic support notification 
since 2001 and on export subsidies since 2000. This is a long running subject of questioning in the 
Committee on Agriculture and we very much encourag e Turkey to bring its notifications up to date. 
4.183.  Turkey has seen impressive development in recent years by further integrating itself into 
the global economy, and reducing barriers to tr ade in industrial goods. New Zealand welcomes 
Turkey’s desire to pursue trade liberalisation in these sectors, and we encourage Turkey to 
consider similar reforms in the agricultural sector and to adopt measures that will drive greater productivity and competitiveness, with ultimately better results for producers, consumers, and 
society.  
4.184.  There is considerable potential to do more and developing and modernizing Turkey’s 
agriculture sector, including through reforming tariffs and other distorting trade policies, could go a 
long way to contributing to Turkey’s Vision 2023. We look forward to further updates on progress 
in achieving this vision.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.185.  New Zealand welcomes Turkey’s reforms in telecommunications and stated commitment to 
services liberalization, especially across transport and logistics. Services are a significant and growing area of export interest for New Zealand and many other Members, but often also form a crucial underpinning to many aspects of the domestic economy. We hope that the services sector 
reforms indicated in this review are a sign of things to come, and will continue to observe with 
interest.  
4.186.  Also looking to the future, fossil fuel subsidy reform is an area of increasing importance for 
all Members. Turkey has a good story to tell on progress on energy pricing, in liberalization, 
cost-recovery and transparency. This story could we ll be told and indeed continued by engaging in 
the G20 peer review process for reform of fossil fuel subsidies.  Through this mechanism for the review of fossil fuel policies Turkey could sh are lessons from its previous reform efforts. 
4.187.  In conclusion, the reports by the Republic  of Turkey and the Secretariat illustrate the 
resilience of Turkey’s economy, its renewed potential for growth, and efforts to diversify and strengthen its trading relationships going forward. New Zealand welcomes this, and looks forward 
to Turkey continuing to realise its strong potential. 
CANADA 4.188.  It is with great interest that we participate today in Turkey’s sixth Trade Policy Review, and 
we warmly welcome Turkey’s delegation here today. As we are well aware, the work of this Body 
takes place in a much broader context, and I would like to take the opportunity to recognize Turkey’s leadership role in responding to the hum anitarian crisis in Syria. Since 2011, Turkey and 
its people have shown great compassion in the fa ce of the tragedy on their doorstep, welcoming 
over two and a half million refugees within their borders. We commend Turkey on this important 
contribution. Unfortunately, also part of that broader context is the risks that come with the current instability in the region, made all too clear with last Sunday’s deadly attack in Ankara. We 
join others in expressing our sincere condolences to  the people of Turkey and in particular, to the 
victims of the bombing and their families. 
4.189.  Moving to the matter that we are considering today, we commend Turkey on the ambitious 
economic goals it has identified for itself as part  of its Vision 2023 plan, and encourage Turkey to 
implement key aspects of the Structural Reform Agenda that it has laid out in its Medium Term Program. Increasing transparency and combatti ng corruption, with a view to enhancing the 
stability of the market and legal system, will pave the way for strong, sustainable and inclusive 
economic growth. We encourage Turkey to contin ue to support the independence of the Central 
Bank and the Bank’s ability to set monetary policies that respond to market conditions and adjust to inflation. 
4.190.  Foreign direct investment will continue to  be critical to Turkey’s economy, and to the 
government’s ability to deliver on its ambitious economic targets. Confidence in the Turkish market on the part of foreign businesses and investors is in turn dependent on a transparent and 
predictable operating environment, and the willingne ss of Turkey’s Government to allow legitimate 
private sector companies to operate freely, regardless of political affiliation. The impartial and timely execution of administrative responsibilities  on the part of the Turkish government regarding 
commercial activity is crucial to maintaining Turkey’s reputation as an attractive environment for 
investment. 
4.191.  Turkey’s Vision 2023 includes significant public investment in infrastructure development, 
and we are encouraged that we will continue to see many of its world class projects including high-
speed rail, modernized energy infrastructure, public  transportation, Istanbul’s new airport, and oil 
and gas infrastructure that is critical for the energy security of Turkey and Europe. These ambitious projects will also serve as an importan t and promising area of job creation for Turkey’s 
young population. 
4.192.  However, Canada must note with regret that Turkey has recently enacted a mandatory 
15% price preference for medium and high-technolog y industrial products. This is in addition to 
the current price advantage that contracting authorities may provide to domestic tenderers. Such 
policies can increase costs and reduce choice in government purchasing. Canada would therefore WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  encourage Turkey to end these discriminatory pr actices and to adopt procurement policies that 
encourage greater competition. 
4.193.  Finally, we join others in expressing co ncern about Turkey’s mixed record of submitting 
WTO notifications, in which there are significant gaps in important areas. We note with particular 
concern an attempt last year to notify new labelling requirements for alcohol with only a three day 
comment period. The importance of the monitoring function of the WTO, including not only these Trade Policy Reviews but also regular notification of trade policy measures, should not be 
underestimated. We therefore call upon Turkey to bring its notifications up-to-date as soon as 
possible, and to do so in a way that also respects the spirit of its notification obligations. 
4.194.  Canada submitted several advance questions to Turkey, on matters such as prospective 
FTAs, MFN rates, SPS issues, and government pr ocurement, further reflecting our degree of 
interest in the reports under discussion today. We  appreciate Turkey’s efforts in providing the 
various elaborations and clarifications sought and will review the responses that were received today. 
4.195.  Mr. Chair, I thank you and the discussant for your insightful remarks that have framed our 
discussion today. I would like to close with the observation that Turkey’s continued work to implement structural reforms and grow its economy can only augment its already resilient 
economic performance and further strengthen its ability to weather global and regional challenges. 
BRAZIL 4.196.  Before addressing trade issues, I'd like to express, once again, the condolences of the 
Brazilian people to the families of the victims of the bomb attack that took place last weekend in 
Ankara. I take this opportunity to reaffirm Brazil’s solidarity to the people and Government of 
Turkey, and to reiterate our firm repudiation of all forms of terrorism.  
4.197.  Turning now to this TPR, we all know that  Turkey is an important player in the global 
economy, and its trade policy choices are of obvious relevance to the multilateral trading system. 
4.198.  Turkey’s economy has displayed positive results every year since the peak of the global 
crisis, in 2008-2009, even if growth rates have no t kept a steady trend. As pointed out by the 
reports, Turkey faces internal challenges in the pursuit of economic stability, such as a high 
current account deficit and, more recently, a rising inflation. Brazil is well aware of and has also experienced strong headwinds, some of which still resulting from developments ultimately related to that original crisis.  
4.199.  In the case of Turkey, we recognize that  the complex situation in its immediate region, 
including that of displaced peoples, as well as the adverse effect of terrorist actions on tourism, for example, represent additional and complex challenges to the country’s economy. We trust that 
such difficulties may and will soon be overcome.  
4.200.  Trade is certainly one of the instrume nts that can help Turkey’s economy, and the 
information provided for this exercise shows that its relevance has increased during the last years. 
With a robust manufacturing basis, trade responded for around 60% of its GDP in the review 
period. That figure, as well as the impressive number of RTAs and customs union with the European Union, confirms the country’s outward orientation. Regarding long-term trade goals, Turkey’s priorities as reflected in its Developmen t Plans cover both social and economic targets. 
4.201.  On the less positive side, as others before me, Brazil notes with concern that only 50% of 
Turkey’s tariff schedule is bound. Furthermore, look ing at the country’s tariff structure, we see a 
much higher level of protection for agriculture in comparison with other areas. The average applied 
rate for agricultural products, currently at 49%, is nine times greater than that for non-agricultural 
goods. Both have increased since the last review, a trend that points to growing protectionist pressures.  
4.202.  The imbalance between the protection of ag ricultural and industrial goods is also clear 
when we observe the number and distribution of Tu rkey’s domestic tariff peaks. Almost 10% of 
the country’s tariffs fall in this category, and most of them apply to agricultural products. All of the WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  76 tariff lines above 200% highlighted in the Secretariat’s report apply to meat, as well as to other 
products of animal origin, and pose a significant barrier to their import into Turkish territory. 
4.203.  The current reforms in Turkey’s SPS legislat ion are of great interest to Brazil. We are now 
exploring bilaterally alternatives for the remova l of barriers that have prevented the access of 
Brazilian beef to Turkey’s market. Brazil is one of  the largest world exporters of this product, and 
we are confident that Turkish consumers will soon be  able to have Brazilian beef on their tables.  
4.204.  Still on the agricultural front, we urge Tu rkey to increase the level of transparency in the 
implementation of its support programs, updating  the notifications of its export subsidies and 
domestic support. The Secretariat’s report highlights that Turkey has maintained a high level of support, thereby further distorting trade in this area. 
4.205.  As for our bilateral relations, trade between the two countries grew almost ten times since 
the beginning of the decade, reaching its peak in 2012. Despite a small decrease since then, Brazil 
remains the main trade partner for Turkey in Latin America. 
4.206.  There is ample room for diversification and addition of value in the Brazilian exports to the 
Turkish market: almost half of our exports consist of basic products, especially iron ore, cotton and 
coffee, whereas eighty-five percent of our import s from Turkey are manufactured goods, mainly 
auto-parts and electrical and mechanical machinery.  
4.207.  Bilateral Foreign Direct Investment increased during the review period, benefitting from 
the entry into force, in 2013, of the double taxa tion agreement between our countries. Today, two 
major Brazilian companies have production units in Turkey while several others are present through joint-ventures with Turkish enterprises. Turkey is also investing in Brazil, mainly in the 
textile and security sectors.   
4.208.  Our bilateral relations are characterized by  a high degree of institutionalization in trade 
and political matters. Moreover, talks on a free  trade agreement between Mercosur and Turkey 
have led to the signature of a framework agreem ent in 2008. Brazil remains open to exploring 
alternatives to resume these negotiations, which could help expand and diversify our trade. 
4.209.  I thank the delegation of Turkey for the re plies to our questions, which will be carefully 
considered in Brasilia. Let me conclude by wishing the Mr. Dilemre and the Turkish delegation a 
successful conclusion of its Trade Policy Review and a safe return home afterwards. 
PERÚ 4.210.  Antes de empezar mi intervención, permítame señor Presidente sumarme a las 
expresiones de solidaridad a la delegación y al pueblo de Turquía por el atentado terrorista sufrido 
el pasado domingo, así como transmitir nuestras sentidas condolencias a los familiares de las víctimas fallecidas. El Perú rechaza y condena estos actos violentos que han cobrado la vida de 
muchos inocentes. 
4.211.  Quisiera iniciar mi intervención destacando el excelente nivel de las relaciones bilaterales. 
Digo esto porque el Perú y Turquía establecieron relaciones diplomáticas hace casi 65 años y en 
los últimos 7 años hemos intensificado los encuentros político diplomático al más alto nivel. 
4.212.  En el 2010, ambos países abrimos Embajadas Residentes en nuestras capitales y hace 
poco más de cuatro semanas el Perú recibió la visita oficial del señor Presidente de la República de Turquía, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, acompañado de varios Ministros de Estado, altas autoridades y 
una delegación de casi cien empresarios. Este ha sido un hecho histórico que demuestra el 
excelente nivel de nuestras relaciones porque se trata de la primera visita oficial al Perú de un Jefe de Estado de Turquía.  
4.213.  Sin duda, esta visita ha permitido fortalecer los contactos e intercambios político 
diplomático en las diversas esferas que integran la relación bilateral y, a su vez, ha sido una ocasión para proyectar e impulsar nuestras relaciones económico-comerciales. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.214.  El Perú sigue con gran atención el crecimiento y desarrollo económicos alcanzados por 
Turquía durante los últimos años, los que le han permitido ser parte de las veinte principales economías mundiales, miembro del G-20 y de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico. Para el Perú es de gran interés trab ajar con Turquía para alcanzar beneficios mutuos 
para nuestros pueblos. 
4.215.  El Perú y Turquía son economías complementarias y existe un gran potencial para ampliar 
el intercambio comercial. En el 2015, el comercio bilateral alcanzó un poco más de 300 millones de 
dólares EE.UU. La visita al Perú de casi 100 empr esarios turcos acompañando al señor Presidente 
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, ha permitido examinar las relaciones comerciales entre ambos países y, en particular, reforzar el contacto directo entre decenas de empresarios con miras al desarrollo de negocios, comercio e inversiones, en el marco del "Foro de Negocios Perú-Turquía", realizado el 
pasado 3 de febrero en la ciudad de Lima, capital del Perú. 
4.216.  Asimismo, quisiera destacar que desde el 2013 el Perú y Turquía empezaron un intenso 
trabajo técnico y político para iniciar negociaciones de un acuerdo de libre comercio. Así, desde el 
2014 se iniciaron formalmente las negociaciones con el fin de elevar aún más el nivel de las 
relaciones económico-comerciales. A la fecha, se han llevado a cabo cuatro rondas de negociación y próximamente se realizará una nueva ronda en Turquía, luego de que ambos Gobiernos 
coincidieran en la importancia de darle un renovado impulso a las negociaciones con el fin de 
lograr su conclusión durante el presente año. 
4.217.  Refiriéndome al informe de la Secretaría sobre el examen de las políticas comerciales de 
Turquía, quisiera destacar que a pesar del difícil contexto económico y político internacional, la 
economía y el comercio de Turquía han seguido creciendo en el período 2011–2015. En lo que se 
refiere al gasto, en el período objeto de examen los principales impulsores del crecimiento han sido el consumo interno y las exportaciones, mientras que desde el punto de vista sectorial, el 
sector manufacturero y el sector servicios, entre los que destacan el turismo, el transporte y los 
servicios financieros, han contribuido sustantivamente a dicho crecimiento. Turquía también ha continuado impulsando la suscripción de acuerdos comerciales y fortaleciendo el marco regulatorio 
para atraer inversión extranjera directa. Saludamos los cambios en el ámbito aduanero, tales 
como la ventanilla única, el programa de operadores económicos autorizados, entre otros. 
4.218.  Sin embargo, como describe el informe de la Secretaría, a pesar del buen desempeño 
económico y el crecimiento del comercio, Turquía mantiene diversas medidas que se aplican en 
frontera tanto a las exportaciones como a las importaciones, tales como prohibiciones directas, 
prescripciones en materia de licencias, controles y restricciones.  
4.219.  Asimismo, el informe de la Secretaría resalta que los programas gubernamentales en 
algunos sectores, en particular en la agricultura, distorsionan el comercio y la producción, mientras 
que el bajo nivel de las consolidaciones arancelarias en el caso de los productos no agrícolas y los altos aranceles aplicados a los productos agrícolas generan incertidumbre entre los interlocutores 
comerciales que no cuentan con un acuerdo comercial con este país. 
4.220.  El informe señala que para seguir creciendo económicamente Turquía tendrá que superar 
desafíos derivados de un contexto geopolítico complejo, junto a la mejora de variables macroeconómicas. El crecimiento futuro depender á de la inversión y, aunque Turquía tiene un 
amplio sistema de incentivos, la complejidad y las restricciones en algunos sectores pueden 
disminuir la eficacia de este sistema. 
4.221.  El Perú considera que el examen de las políticas comerciales de Turquía es un marco de 
trabajo que nos brinda una importante oportunidad de la que podemos obtener valiosa información 
en beneficios de todos, por lo que le deseamos éxit os a Turquía en los resultados de este ejercicio. 
4.222.  En ese marco, el Perú ha transmitido algunas consultas sobre variados aspectos de la 
operatividad del comercio en general y quisiera aprovechar la oportunidad para agradecer a la 
delegación de Turquía por las respuestas que nos han adelantado, las que serán transmitidas a nuestras autoridades competentes en la capital para su evaluación y seguimiento. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  UNITED  STATES 
4.223.  The U.S. delegation warmly welcomes Tu rkey’s Deputy Undersecretary Dilmere and the 
Turkish delegation. We also appreciate, on an ongoing basis, the contribution of our friend 
Ambassador Ilicak. Of course, the United States joins others in condemning the attack on Sunday 
in Ankara. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.   
4.224.  Turning to Turkey’s Trade Policy Review, Turkey has remained a source of impressive 
economic growth in its region during the review period, despite the political, security, social and 
economic turmoil many of its neighbours have faced in recent years. As the Secretariat’s report 
indicates, foreign trade and investment have, if  anything, grown in importance to Turkey’s 
economy during this period. Turkey’s services sector continues its strong role in generating GDP, while a diverse and remarkably resilient manufactu ring sector remains the bedrock of Turkey’s 
exports.  All this said, the disturbances at Turk ey’s doorstep have undeniably put pressure on the 
Turkish economy, and that must serve as a backdr op to our discussions with our Turkish friends on 
how we can cooperate in the future. As the Secretariat’s report notes, the economy has 
experienced somewhat uneven growth since the last  review and remains vulnerable to external 
shocks, inter alia, via a relatively high current  account deficit and unpredictable demand for 
Turkish exports among its key trading partners. 
4.225.  We continue to welcome Turkey’s efforts to engage actively in the global trading system, 
including through its involvement in the TiSA an d Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations. 
These activities, along with Turkey’s active purs uit of free trade agreements with a variety of 
partner countries throughout the world, affirm the commitment of Turkish officials and business 
leaders to enhance their country’s economic future through active engagement with the global 
economy. 
4.226.  Turkey's participation in these initiatives is important to the United States and it is 
precisely because of Turkey's economic importance th at we will continue to have high expectations 
that Turkey can contribute to our overall effo rt. Similarly, we welcome Turkey’s announcement 
today of good news concerning its ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
4.227.  The United States has been pleased to wo rk with Turkey on trade and investment issues 
over many years through a variety of bilateral consultative mechanisms, including the ministerial-level, Framework for Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation. Our discussions have focused on exploring practical ways to better familiarize our respective private sectors with each 
other’s markets and promoting commercial ties in other ways through an enhanced bilateral trade 
and investment relationship.  
4.228.  Turkey remains an economy of great potential and significant future interest for U.S. firms 
looking to expand trade and investment ties in the Eurasian/Middle East region. However, in our 
view, reforms in certain areas would magnify foreign business interest in the Turkish market. Many of the questions we pose today reflect our desire to better communicate to U.S. firms the 
objectives and requirements of Turkish policies th ey will encounter in Turkey. For example, we 
seek additional information on various aspects of  Turkey’s customs and tax regimes, as well as 
measures affecting Turkish exports. We ask for further transparency with regard to Turkey’s adoption of investment incentives and technica l measures, and seek additional information on 
policies related to the agricultural sector. These include certain SPS measures which affect U.S. 
exports of a range of products, such as bovine genetics and crops produced with agricultural biotechnology, as well as the structure and operation of Turkish agricultural support mechanisms.  
Like others today, we note our deep disappointment at Turkey’s failure to meet its regular WTO 
notification requirements, which also complicates our collective ability to engage in negotiations in the area of agriculture. 
4.229.  In addition, since the United States has always advocated for strong intellectual property 
protections as critical to creating a business-friendly economy, we seek greater clarity with respect to a number of Turkish policies in this area.  We believe that Turkey’s economy would benefit greatly through the improved protection of IPR and we would welcome the opportunity to review 
aspects of Turkey’s copyright law, among others, as well as learn more about Turkey’s current and 
future enforcement efforts to combat piracy. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.230.  Finally, we would draw your attention to our question regarding the Government's ongoing 
antidumping investigation of US exports of cotton, where Turkey appears neither to have provided sufficient disclosure nor evidence to justify the imposition of a measure. We would urge the Government to look closely at our questions and concerns, which have been raised throughout the 
investigation without a clear response. 
4.231.  In closing, it is our assessment that Turkey will remain a key economic actor in its region 
and globally. The United States remains ready to work with Turkey to strengthen cooperation in 
the WTO, plurilateral and bilateral arenas. 
INDONESIA
  
4.232.  Indonesia joins others in expressing deep condolences to the victims of the bomb affecting 
Ankara. 
4.233.  Turkey is one of the important global tr ading players, which has strong commitment to the 
multilateral trading system and open market. Turkey  is also one of the leading global producers of 
textiles, agricultural products, construction materials, electronics, home appliances and 
transportation equipment. 
4.234.  The Government and the people of Indonesia have long maintained its strong and sound 
bilateral relations with the Government and peop le of Turkey. Turkey is one of Indonesia's 
important trading partners, where the total va lue of trade between both countries in 2015 
amounted to US$1.4 billion. Given the strong trade relationship between the two countries, 
Indonesia attaches great importance to Turkey's commitment to multilateral trading system and open market. 
4.235.  Despite our strong trade relations, we still have concerns over some trade policies and 
measures adopted by Turkey. In the last decade, we have noted an increase in the use of trade 
remedies instrument, as referred to in paragrap h 3.59 and 3.64 of the Secretariat report. There 
are 11 antidumping and several safeguards measures, which affect Indonesia's export to Turkey, 
including Polyester Synthetics Staple. My delegation would like also to seek clarification from Turkey with regard to the safeguard investigat ion on porcelain and ceramics product, and there 
has been no clarity whether the investigation is still in place or has been withdrawn. 
4.236.  In this opportunity, my delegation wishes to underline that antidumping, safeguards and 
countervailing duties should only be used on an exceptional situation and shall be justified by the existing multilateral disciplines. In this connection, we are of the view that due restraint must be 
exercised in using such trade defence. 
4.237.  My delegation would also like to register to this meeting that we have submitted several 
written questions to Turkey. We wish to thank the delegation of Turkey for providing written 
answers to our questions. Indeed, we will study them further. 
4.238.  In conclusion, I would like to, once again, express my highest appreciation to the 
delegation of Turkey for its hard work. 
RUSSIAN
 FEDERATION 
4.239.  At the outset, let me express our sympat hy and solidarity with the Government and the 
people of Turkey in light of the terrorist attack  on Sunday. Russia condemns terrorism in all its 
forms.  
4.240.  Turkey is Russia's sixth largest trading partner. In 2015, the amount of our bilateral 
merchandise trade reached US$23.3 billion. As for the trade in services, in 2014 the turnover has amounted to US$12.6 billion. It is noteworthy that the Russian Federation is among the top five 
countries with the highest FDI flows to Turkey totalling US$1.2 billion in 2014. Consequently, 
Turkey's trade regime, as well as the complianc e of the Turkish trade policies with the core 
principles of the WTO such as transparency, accountability and non-discrimination, are of great 
importance to Russia. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.241.  Prior to this TPR, Russia has submi tted a number of questions regarding Turkey's 
anti-dumping measures; import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing; application of support programmes and export subsidies in agriculture; State Trading Enterprises; certain SPS measures and the process of alignment of Turkish technical regulations with the sector-specific EU directives. 
Now we would like to focus on our keys co ncerns regarding Turkey's trade policies. 
4.242.  We look forward to receiving a more complete and comprehensive information concerning 
our advanced written questions on the recently disclosed results of the ongoing anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hot-rolled steel products originating in, inter alia , the Russian 
Federation, as well as the practices of normal value calculation and product scope determination used by the Turkish authorities. 
4.243.  We believe that the replacement of costs actually incurred by the producers with the data 
relating to the costs outside of the country of origin and exportation of the product under 
consideration has substantive distortive effect on the level of anti-dumping margin. It is not justified under the provisions of the Anti-Dumping  Agreement that require the normal value to be 
based on "the cost of production in the country of origin" and Article 2.2.1.1 of the Anti-Dumping 
Agreement that states that "costs shall normally be calculated on the basis of records kept by the exporter or producer under investigation". We are thus asking the Turkish side to reconsider its 
anti-dumping practice and to bring its measures into compliance with the WTO obligation. 
4.244.  Furthermore, the Russian Federation would like to present a few follow-up questions that 
will later be submitted to the Secretariat in writing. 
4.245.  Russia has concerns over Turkey's support programmes for the small and medium 
enterprises such as the ones provided by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development 
Organization (KOSGEB) as referred to in paragrap h 3.3.1.3 of the Secretariat report. SME Strategy 
and Action Plan for 2015-18 provides for, in part icular, enhancement of the internationalization 
level of SMEs by improving their export capacity . Besides, Turkey implements some supportive 
measures under its Chemicals Industry Strategy mentioned in paragraph 4.75 of the report. However, there is a lack of information whether the said SME programmes and Chemicals Industry 
Strategy contain elements, which are not in line with the Article 3 of the Agreement on Subsidies 
and Countervailing Measures. Therefore, could Turk ey please clarify what measures are used to 
reach the strategic targets mentioned in the SME Strategy and Action Plan for 2015-18 and Chemicals Industry Strategy and provide a reference. 
4.246.  Furthermore, according to paragraph 4.61 of the Secretariat report, the Government has 
encouraged domestic companies, in collaboration with multinational producers, to develop a "national car" assembled in Turkey using Turkish-made parts. Therefore, we would like to know 
how Turkey plans to ensure consistency of this initiative with the obligations provided for in 
paragraph 4 of Article III of the GATT and in paragr aph 1 of Article XI of the GATT as well as in 
Article 2 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures. 
4.247.  In addition, Russia is concerned over th e implementation of Tobacco Fund levy of US$900 
per tonne as referred to in paragraph 3.52 of the Secretariat report. Could Turkey please clarify 
whether the similar measure is applied to the domestically produced raw tobacco? 
4.248.  Lastly, Russia would like to emphasize th e importance of compliance with notification 
obligations under the Agreement on Agriculture through the timely provision of up-to-date 
notifications. In this context, could Turkey plea se clarify when it is going to submit pending 
notifications under the Agreement on Agriculture? 
4.249.  We look forward to receiving the answers to our advanced written questions submitted for 
this TPR and follow-up questions which we will consider thoroughly. 
ECUADOR 
4.250.  Ecuador da la bienvenida a la delegación de Turquía encabezada por el Señor Hüsnü 
Dílemre, a quien expresa su solidaridad por el atentado corrido fin de semana pasada.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.251.  Ecuador participa con gran interés en este Examen de políticas comerciales, pues un 
indicador de la importancia que Turquía atribuye a la región latinoamericana y el nivel de las relaciones con sus países, constituyó la reciente visita el Presidente turco Recep Erdogam al Ecuador en febrero pasado. 
4.252.  En esa oportunidad, los Presidentes de Ecuador y Turquía analizaron la forma de dinamizar 
las relaciones bilaterales y trataron sobre las inversiones de la nación euroasiática que podrían desarrollarse en mi país y concretar negocios de mutuo beneficio. Es importante indicar que gran 
parte del banano, flores y otros productos de exportación de Ecuador llegan a Asia a través de 
Turquía por lo que, los dos países continuarán abordando la forma de dar impulso a la cooperación bilateral. 
4.253.  Además, con el objetivo de impulsar el intercambio comercial entre los dos países, los 
presidentes hicieron pública la voluntad de sus Gobiernos para concluir en el menor tiempo posible 
las negociaciones de un Acuerdo de Comercio para el Desarrollo. 
4.254.  En cuanto se refiere al informe presentado por la Secretaría, tomamos nota que Turquía es 
considerada como la décima séptima mayor economía del mundo, que ha experimentado en los 
últimos años una desaceleración producto de la reducción de la producción agrícola como consecuencia de condiciones meteorológicas desfavorables, cuyo crecimiento económico también 
ha sido afectado por la reciente crisis geopolítica de la región y el flujo de entrada de refugiados. 
4.255.  Pese a ese difícil entorno exterior, la economía y el comercio turcos crecieron en el período 
2011-2015 basado fundamentalmente en los costos relativamente bajos de la mano de obra, la buena infraestructura y la proximidad a la UE, su principal interlocutor comercial. 
4.256.  De igual forma, registramos varias dificult ades que han afectado a la economía de Turquía, 
como por ejemplo une elevada inflación desde mediados de 2013. 
4.257.  Por otro lado, es importante destacar como hechos positivos que el comercio total de 
bienes y servicios de Turquía haya aumentado en un 48% del PIB en 2010 al 60% en 2014, 
teniendo notable importancia las exportaciones de productos manufacturados en particular textiles y prendas de vestir, productos de la industria del automóvil, productos químicos, hierro y acero. 
4.258.  Aunque la agricultura y las manufacturas continúan siendo partes importantes de la 
economía turca, los servicios siguen siendo el sect or que más contribuye al PIB, señalándose en el 
informe de la Secretaría que en el 2014 fue del 65% del PIB, donde los servicios financieros, el turismo y las telecomunicaciones destacan por su nivel de desarrollo e importancia. 
4.259.  Los datos que proporciona la Secretaría en su informe sobre el crecimiento del sector de 
los servicios de turismo turco denotan la importancia en la economía de ese país, toda vez que ha sido superior al crecimiento mundial del sector, ubicando en el año 2014 a Turquía como el sector 
país del mundo en lo que a visitas de turistas extranjeros ser refiere; y, el duodécimo en cuanto a 
los ingresos derivados del turismo. 
4.260.  Ecuador, de igual manera, reconoce como uno de los elementos esenciales de la economía 
de Turquía los numerosos programas de incentivos puestos en práctica para promover la atracción 
de inversión extranjera directa, donde las zonas de desarrollo tecnológico, zonas industriales organizadas y zonas francas constituyen entornos favorables a la inversión. 
4.261.  De otra parte, como logros obtenidos por Turquía en el ámbito aduanero se resalta la 
inclusión de un nuevo formulario de declaración abreviada previa a la llegada; el desarrollo de un 
programa de ventanilla única; la puesta en marcha de un proyecto piloto de ventanilla única para puestos fronterizos terrestres y un programa de facilitación del comercio para empresas 
certificadas como operadores económicos autorizados. 
4.262.  Asimismo, Ecuador desea destacar que las empresas estatales tienen importancia en 
varios sectores esenciales de la economía turca, entre ellos el sector manufacturero, la minería, el 
petróleo y el gas, la agricultura, el transporte y la banca. Reconocemos que durante el período de 
examen se adoptaron nuevas disposiciones para exigir a las empresas estatales el establecimiento WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  de un sistema de control interno y someterlas a une auditoría externa independiente, con lo cual 
ha mejorado en materia de transparencia y rendición de cuentas. 
4.263.  Para concluir, deseamos anticipar nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación de Turquía por 
sus respuestas a las preguntas que hemos planteado sobre algunos aspectos concretos de su 
política comercial, lo que proveerá información importante para el fortalecimiento de las relaciones 
bilaterales en materia de comercio exterior. 
PARAGUAY 
4.264.  Antes de comenzar, nuestra solidaridad con Turquía por la violencia que está sufriendo su 
sociedad, nuestro pensamiento y sentimiento van a las víctimas inocentes y a sus familias. 
4.265.  Del mismo modo, estimamos positivamente la participación de Turquía en este ejercicio, 
en este momento de grandes desafíos económico-comerciales, superando los obstáculos que se 
presentan en un contexto regional bastante delicado, y de una economía mundial de bajo 
crecimiento. 
Economía y comercio internacional de Turquía 
4.266.  En ese sentido, y como todos aquí sabemos, la economía Turquía es una las más pujantes 
de la región, con una plataforma productiva realme nte orientada a la exportación. Gracias a ello y 
a la solidez de su política económica, Turquía creció de manera considerable durante el periodo en 
estudio; tras la desaceleración de 2012, la economía turca se expandió en un 4,1% en 2013, 
creció un 2,9% en el 2014 y en el 2015 el crecimiento económico alcanzó un 4 %. 
4.267.  El comercio exterior de Turquía también registró buenos resultados con respecto a las 
tendencias y los promedios mundiales. De hecho, las estadísticas publicadas en esta casa nos 
muestran que Turquía se sitúa en el puesto núm ero 15 de un grupo de 40 Miembros que lograron 
aumentar sus exportaciones totales en términos anuales. En ese sentido, la composición sectorial de las exportaciones ha cambiado hacia productos de mayor intensidad de capital y tecnología, de 
conformidad con la evolución de las tendencias globales del comercio mundial. La participación de 
los productos de tecnología media y alta en las exportaciones turcas supera los 46.500 millones de dólares EE.UU. 
4.268.  Otro aspecto interesante de la economía turca es el papel destacado que desempeña el 
sector servicios en la actividad económica, especialmente en lo referente a la generación de empleo y el comercio, tanto nacional como internacional. La participación de los sectores de servicios en el PIB turco representó el 59% en 2014. Además, el crecimiento del sector de este 
sector superó el de las demás actividades económicas, especialmente en sectores no tradicionales 
como los servicios audiovisuales. 
Examen de política comercial de Turquía 
4.269.  Con respecto al ejercicio que hoy nos ocupa, ha quedado demostrada la alta importancia 
de que los Miembros asignan a Turquía en el comercio internacional, lo cual se vio reflejado con la gran cantidad de preguntas que han sido efectuadas. Al respecto, vimos que ha sido de gran 
interés conocer mayores detalles sobre las notificaciones pendientes en el área de agricultura, así 
como otras medidas que afectan a las importaciones, como ser los aranceles a la importación y el incremento del promedio aritmético en su aplicación; igualmente también se han destacado las consultas sobre el régimen de incentivos a la producción y atracción de inversiones. 
4.270.  En esa línea, mi delegación ha realizado preguntas puntuales y agradecemos las 
respuestas recibidas, las cuales serán analizadas con mucho interés. 
Relación bilateral 
4.271.  Por otro lado, quiero destacar la buena rela ción bilateral que tiene mi país con Turquía, no 
solo a nivel económico, sino también a nivel político, social y cultural; una relación que data desde 1953, y que nuestros Gobiernos se encuentran trab ajando arduamente para fortalecerla en el 
futuro próximo.   WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.272.  No obstante, debemos reconocer que, a pesar de ser importante (más de 330 millones de 
dólares EE.UU. en total) nuestra relación comercial se encuentra por debajo de su potencialidad, tanto en cantidad como en diversidad. Entre los principales bienes exportados por Paraguay a Turquía tenemos los granos y pellets de soja, semillas de girasol, carne vacuna, carbón vegetal y 
el cuero. De Turquía al Paraguay se pueden citar las ventas de barras de hierro, tractores, 
cemento, entre otros.  
Cierre 
4.273.  Para concluir, no quiero dejar pasar esta oportunidad para resaltar que Turquía ha 
continuado implementando medidas para facilitar el comercio durante el período objeto de este examen, hecho que queda demostrado con la sistematización de los procedimientos de aduanas, y la implementación de varias medidas contenidas en el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio. 
Vale reiterar la activa participación de la delegación de Turquía en las negociaciones de este 
Acuerdo, siendo un aliado importante del Paraguay en las medidas que favorecen la Libertad de Tránsito. 
4.274.  Reitero mis felicitaciones a quienes tienen a su cargo la conducción de este Examen y a los 
delegados de la Misión Permanente de Turquía en Ginebra, por su siempre activa participación en 
los diferentes temas que tratamos en esta casa. 
COSTA
 RICA 
4.275.  Quisiera expresar las más profundas condolencias y solidaridad al Gobierno y al pueblo de 
Turquía por los ataques terroristas sufridos recientemente, este mes y el mes pasado. Nuestros pensamientos están hoy on las víctimas de estos ataques.  
4.276.  Costa Rica reconoce en Turquía a un mMiembro activo de esta Organización. Su 
compromiso con el sistema multilateral de comercio de la OMC es reconocido por todos y es consecuente con el tamaño relativo de su economía, una de las más importantes del mundo, y con 
el papel que el comercio internacional ha adquirido en su desempeño económico. 
4.277.  Nuestro comercio bilateral alcanzó apenas alrededor de 90 millones de dólares EE.UU. 
anuales en los años 2014 y 2015 pero ha crecido a una tasa superior al 40% en los últimos 
10 años y tiene un fuerte potencial. Costa Rica está interesada en promover esta relación 
comercial con Turquía. Una muestra de ello es la reciente apertura de embajadas en ambos países, así como de oficinas de promoción comercial que contribuirán a fomentar esta relación. 
4.278.  Con relación a este Examen de políticas comerciales, Costa Rica ve con interés el buen 
desempeño de la economía turca en los últimos años , a pesar del difícil entorno en que este se ha 
producido, en razón de la crisis económica que ha  afectado a sus principales socios comerciales, 
así como por los conflictos en su región. Como bien señala el informe de la Secretaría, el 
crecimiento futuro dependerá de la inversión y también, quisiéramos señalar, el papel que seguirá 
jugando el comercio. Para ello creemos importante brindar condiciones de mayor seguridad jurídica, transparencia y la eliminación de distorsiones. De ahí la importancia de las medidas 
dirigidas a la consolidación de la totalidad de los aranceles para productos industriales en la OMC, 
que actualmente solo alcanza el 33,5% de las líneas arancelarias y que estamos seguros contribuiría a mejorar el clima de negocios y la competitividad de la industria turca. 
4.279.  Tal y como se señala en el informe, Turquía es el séptimo productor mundial de productos 
agropecuarios. En este sentido, tiene una respon sabilidad particular en el cumplimiento de sus 
obligaciones de notificación y transparencia en la OMC. Confiamos en que el Gobierno turco pueda actualizar sus notificaciones al Comité de Agricultura de la OMC, en particular sus programas de 
ayuda interna y subvenciones a la exportación. Estamos muy interesados en conocer la evolución 
de sus programas de ayuda interna y los cambios que haya introducido. 
4.280.  También vemos con mucho interés el desarrollo del sector de servicios en Turquía. En el 
2014, el comercio de servicios representó alrededor del 65% del PIB y es el sector más dinámico 
de su economía. Si bien el turismo y los viajes, los servicios financieros y las telecomunicaciones siguen representando una alta proporción en el comercio, el desarrollo de nuevos sectores presenta un patrón muy interesante, con experiencias muy útiles para otros países en desarrollo. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  En particular, nos llama la atención el auge de ciertos servicios médicos para los turistas 
extranjeros (turismo sanitario), que ha crecido significativamente en los últimos 4 años con un aumento de más del 200% del número de pacientes extranjeros y de los centros privados de salud. 
4.281.  Mi delegación es consciente del enorme es fuerzo del país examinado en la preparación de 
las respuestas a las preguntas formuladas, por lo que agradecemos a Turquía sus respuestas.  
CHINA 
4.282.  At the outset, on behalf of the Chines e Mission, I would like to express our sincere 
condolences to the people of Turkey for the tragic bombing attack that took place in Ankara last week-end. 
4.283.  As one of most vibrant and competitive gl obal economies, Turkey has continued to post 
impressive economic growth rates during the pe riod under review despite external challenges, 
against the backdrop of slowdown of global econ omy. Turkey’s domestic consumption and exports 
remained the key drivers for growth during the re view period, manufacturing continued to be an 
important part of the Turkish economy. As the Se cretariat’s report notes, progress was made in 
service areas such as financial services and telecommunications. The tourism sector was particularly positive to the trade balance and outpaced global tourism growth, making Turkey one 
of the top destinations for international travellers including an ever increasing number from China. 
Turkey attached great importance to attracting foreign direct investment and provided investor-friendly environments especially in its investment zones. Its share in global capital flow will be further enhanced. 
4.284.  Turkey has long been a firm supporter of  the well-functioning multilateral trading system, 
and an active participant in the DDA negotiations. China highly commends Turkey as one of the most active and supportive members of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, and we welcome 
Turkey's decision on submitting the TFA ratifica tion this week. China al so appreciates Turkey’s 
sustained efforts in recent years in providing official development aid to the development and LDC-related issues within the DDA.  
4.285.  On the bilateral front, the period under review has witnessed a sound performance of our 
bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Mutual  trade is increasingly deepened and China has 
become Turkey’s top trading partner. Our statisti cs showed that between 2012 and 2014, bilateral 
trade climbed from US$19 billion to US$23 billion, registering an increase of 21%. Despite a 
slowdown in 2015, bilateral trade still reached US$2 1.56 billion. Investment also flourished, by the 
end of 2015, the stock of China’s direct investment in Turkey’s non-financial sector was US$1.07 billion, Turkey’s investment in Chin a totalled US$230 million. This remarkable 
development testified the complementarity of our bilateral economic relationship, which was 
consolidated further by the meeting of our top leaders in 2015. During the state visit of Turkish President Erdogan to China, he and President Xi Jinping agreed on further promoting cooperation 
on the high-speed railway and new energy, aerospace, finance and investment. We believe that 
the huge potential for mutually beneficial cooperation will be fully tapped.  
4.286.  While encouraged by the development of Si no-Turkish economic and trade relationship, we 
believe there is still room for improvement regarding some of its policies. China would like to refer 
to Turkey’s trade remedy measures in particular. As pointed out in the Secretariat report, Turkey 
was one of WTO's main users of safeguard and anti-dumping measures, and trade remedies continued to be an important policy tool for Turkey. China was still most affected by Turkey’s 
anti-dumping and countervailing measures in force, since the majority of them were initiated on 
products originating from China. China calls on Turkey to refrain from using trade remedy measures and launch investigations strictly in accordance with the WTO rules, to fulfil its 
anti-protectionist commitments. 
4.287.  China has posed some questions to Turkey and is grateful for the replies received, which 
we will study closely.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  MALAYSIA 
4.288.  Malaysia associates itself with the statem ent delivered by Singapore on behalf of ASEAN. 
We join others in extending our sincere condolence s to the Government of Turkey in connection to 
the recent attack in Ankara. 
4.289.  Malaysia enjoys close and friendly relati ons with Turkey since diplomatic affairs were 
established in 1964. The rapid and impressive econ omic transformation of Turkey over the past 
four decades coincides with Malaysia’s own growth and economic transformation programme. This 
has largely contributed to the multi-faceted cooperation, covering political and economic as well as 
people-to-people relations.  
4.290.  The existing cooperation is further augmented by high-level visits between our leaders in 
recent years and the continuing close rapport has raised the stature of our bilateral relations to a 
strategic level. In conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic 
relations in 2014, both countries signed the Joint Declaration on the Framework for Strategic Cooperation during Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit to Malaysia on 9-10 January 2014. The joint 
Declaration was indeed historic and aims at boosting economic and technical cooperation in areas 
such as SMEs, services, agriculture and f ood, healthcare, energy, e-commerce, R&D and 
automotive sector. More recently, His Excellency Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of 
Turkey attended the 48th ASEAN Ministerial Meet ing (AMM) held from 1-6 August 2015 in Kuala 
Lumpur as a special guest. 
4.291.  At the international level, Malaysia and Turk ey are actively involved in various platforms of 
developing countries such as within the framework of the UN, NAM, the OIC and D-8. 
4.292.  In our efforts to further intensify trade and investment potential of both countries, the 
Malaysia-Turkey FTA (MTFTA) was signed on 17 April 2014 which subsequently entered into force on 1 August 2015. Both sides view the MTFTA as an  important milestone in our economic relations 
and are committed to expand the coverage of the current agreement to trade in services after the 
entry into force of the agreement.  
4.293.  Malaysia’s total trade with Turkey in 2015 reached US$1.4 billion, an increase of more 
than 78% from the previous year. We look forward to a continuous upward trend this year. 
Malaysia’s major exports to Turkey in 2015 were among others palm oil and palm-based products, 
textiles, clothing and footwear, chemicals and chemical products while imports from Turkey were petroleum products, machinery, appliances and parts and processed food.  
4.294.  Malaysia has significant investments in Turkey. As for 2014, Malaysia’s investment 
amounted to US$2.5 billion. Malaysia’s investment focuses on healthcare sector and airport management services and it is also worth noting that since then, more than 6000 job opportunities 
were created. Turkey’s investment in Malaysia concentrates in manufacturing sector which 
amounted to more than US$106 million. 
4.295.  Turkey is also considered as an important market for Malaysia in the field of tourism which 
led to the establishment of the Tourism Malaysia’s office in Istanbul in May 2012. In 2014, more 
than 16,000 Turkish nationals visited Malaysia; 29% higher compared to the previous year. At the 
same time, 70,000 Malaysians visited Turkey in 2014.  
4.296.  The reports being considered today also demonstrate that Turkey remains committed to a 
rules-based and transparent trading system. Turkey  has been an important player, both in the 
context of the regular work of the WTO and in the DDA negotiations. Malaysia also appreciates that Turkey is committed to integrating the LDCs into the multilateral trading system through its 
significant contributions to DFQF market access. We also look forward to Turkey’s continuous 
active participation in bringing the DDA to a conclusion. In this, we appreciate the role played by Ambassador Haluk Ilicak and his team.  
4.297.  Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Turkish delegation for 
responding to our questions and these are being exam ined at the Capital. In addition, we will also 
be submitting additional questions and we  look forward to receiving the feedback. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  KENYA 
4.298.  Kenya joins previous speakers in expressi ng its sincere condolences to the victims of the 
recent attacks in Ankara. 
4.299.  Kenya is pleased to participate in the Trad e Policy Review of Republic of Turkey. Turkey is 
a key partner of Kenya particularly in the area of trade and investments. Bilateral relations 
between Kenya and Turkey have consistently de veloped and strengthened over recent years. 
4.300.  In April 2014, the second meeting of th e Kenya-Turkey Joint Economic Commission was 
held in Ankara during which trade and investment relations between the two countries were 
reviewed which lead to the signing of 10 agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields including security, trade, financial and technical cooperation, energy and mining. There is no doubt that the agreements will contribute to th e improvement of social and economic relations 
between the two countries.  
4.301.  Kenya’s foreign trade volumes with Turkey have been increasing steadily over the years 
with imports of gasoline and steel accounting for much of increase.  
4.302.  We note from the reports that trade continues to play an important role to the economic 
growth of Turkey. Trade policy instruments pursued at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels have contributed in making trade as the main engine of economic growth making the economy 
largely dependent on international trade.  
4.303.  While we appreciate the contribution of tr ade to the economic growth of Turkey, we note 
with concern that Turkey’s tariff protection remains high on several of products including agriculture products which has adversely affected our tea exports to Turkey.  
4.304.  We note from the reports that recent economic indicators have become increasingly mixed 
as a result of Turkey’s vulnerability to capital inflow, contraction in agriculture output due to adverse weather, external shocks, and geopolitical crisis which have all continued to pose 
challenges to sustained economic growth.  
4.305.  However, we commend the Government of Turkey for its continued efforts in implementing 
various policies aimed at addressing economic  challenges and which have seen the country 
r e g i s t e r  e c o n o m i c  g r o w t h  h i g h e r  t h a n  m o s t  o f  c o u n t r i e s  a t  c o m p a r a b l e  l e v e l s  o f  d e v e l o p m e n t  
during the year 2015. We encourage Turkey to  sustain the process of addressing economic 
challenges in order to maintain the curren t trend of its economic growth and outlook. 
4.306.  Finally, we express our appreciation to Turkey for its strong commitment to the 
multilateral trading system and for collaborating closely with Kenya delegation particularly on issue 
of interest to developing countries in the context of WTO negotiations. 
MONTENEGRO 
4.307.  Montenegro would like to associate itself with the statement of the European Union.  
4.308.  At the outset, I would like to extend sincere condolences and solidarity with the 
Government and the people of Turkey for the latest terrorist attack in Ankara.   
4.309.  Montenegro would like to commend Turkey on the scope and the overall quality of 
economic transformation of the country in the last decade. My delegation recognizes Turkish 
constructive engagement in the WTO and its valuable contribution to the multilateral trading system.  
4.310.  Montenegro would like to commend Turkey on securing one of the highest rates of 
economic growth, notwithstanding the global financial crisis, low oil prices and turbulent political instability in the Middle East. To this end, Monten egro notes that Turkey secured 8.8% GDP growth 
in 2011, and positive economic growth rates ever y year since 2001 except 2009. By all accounts, 
this is an impressive achievement.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.311.  In agreement with the Secretariat, Monteneg ro recognizes that trade is an important part 
of the Turkish economy. In this regard, Monteneg ro notes that total trade in goods and services 
grew from the equivalent of 48% of GDP in  2010 to 60% in 2014. Moreover, since 2010 exports 
have increased by 38%, to more than US$150 billon in 2014.   
4.312.  As the government of Turkey notes in its report, exports have been the main engine of 
Turkish economic growth in recent years. In this context, Montenegro will continue to follow closely the implementation of Turkish export stra tegy for 2023, with very ambitious programmes 
in improving export performance and increasing export diversification. 
4.313.  Montenegro further recognizes the achievements that Turkey has made with regard to 
foreign investment. As the Government of Turkey observes in its report, between 2004 and 2014, Turkey has secured 8.5 times more foreign direct  investment than it had secured during the 
previous 80 years. To secure such positive inflow s of foreign direct investment in such a short 
period is a big success. Despite some signs that fo reign direct investment is decreasing in recent 
years, Montenegro hopes that Turkey will cont inue to experience positive developments the 
investment sphere. Signing a more comprehens ive investment agreement and continuing to 
deepen economic ties with the EU will no doubt be of further assistance. Montenegro hopes that 
such positive trends will continue notwithstanding the challenges that Turkey faces.   
4.314.  On the bilateral side, in the framewor k of excellent relationship between our two 
Governments, the results of economic cooperatio n and trade relations make Turkey one of the 
most important trade partners of Montenegro. In 2015, the value of bilateral trade in goods was over €60 million and Turkish direct investments amounted to €17.4 million. Working through the 
joint business forum and connecting successful trading with right investment decisions resulted in 
some of the highest single investments of Turkish companies in our region. Let me mention some of them: €35 million in 2009 in the biggest shopping mall, €15 million in the hotel complex and the 
latest successfully concluded deal - €35 million to develop a new marina in the central part of our 
coast. At the same time, Montenegro has become an important tourist destination for Turkey with 27,000 visitors recorded last year and an expanded  regional hub for Turkish Airlines. The biggest 
Turkish Bank has acquired a licence to start financial operations in 2015, which will boost the 
overall economic cooperation. Montenegro is looking forward to exploring the interests of Turkish businesses for cooperation in energy, health, medical and tourism industries. I would like to use this opportunity to extend appreciation of my Government for the engagement of TIKA (Turkish 
International Cooperation and Development Agency), which has implemented 150 small 
development projects in the amount of €30 million since the beginning of its assistance program in 
Montenegro in 2007. 
4.315.  To conclude, Montenegro is looking forward to continuing excellent and constructive 
engagement with the delegation of Turkey in Geneva and my distinguished colleague Ambassador H.E. Haluk Ilicak.  
4.316.  Finally, my delegation would like to th ank the outgoing Chair, Ambassador of Bulgaria, 
H.E. Atanas Paparizov for his commitment and extraordinary work on the TPR, to thank him for his transparency and inclusiveness and to extend warm welcome to our incoming chair, my dear college Permanent Representative Irene Young of Hong Kong China. 
THAILAND 
4.317.  Let me first of all join the previous spea kers in expressing our country’s condolences to 
Turkey on the terrorist attack occurred in Ankara on Sunday.  
4.318.  Thailand would also like to associate itse lf with ASEAN’s statement previously delivered by 
Ambassador Ms Yee Woan TAN of Singapore.   
4.319.  Turkey and Thailand have a long-standing trade relation, and we look to further enhance 
our bilateral trade with the launch of an FTA negotiation between the two countries later this year. 
During the past year, bilateral trade between Tha iland and Turkey stood at US$1.2 billion. Turkey 
ranked as our 32nd export destination and 50th import source. Although our bilateral trade has 
been declining in recent years, we hope that our fundamentally strong relationship will help 
enhance these statistical numbers in the near future.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.320.  The TPR reports indicate that although Tu rkey’s economic growth has declined during the 
review period, it has been able to attain growth at a respectable rate of 2.9% in 2014. We are pleased with Turkey’s efforts with regard to tr ade facilitation, including the development of a 
Single Window application, the launch of a "one-stop-shop" pilot project for terrestrial border 
posts, and the implementation of the Authoriz ed Economic Operator (AEO) programme for AEO 
certified companies. Thailand also notes that Turkey’s investment schemes have been enhanced over the review period with a view to attract FDIs in certain areas and sectors. 
4.321.  Nevertheless, Thailand remains concerned regarding Turkey’s trade regimes in certain 
areas, including its particularly high Tariff protection in Agriculture, the continuation of high usage of safeguard and anti-dumping measures, and the relatively high supports in Agriculture.  
4.322.  In this review, Thailand submitted quit e a number of questions to Turkey, covering the 
policies and measures of our interests regarding Investment and Trade Facilitation policies, tariffs 
system, TRQ administration, and various support programs for agriculture products. We look forward to Turkey’s responses, for which we will study carefully with great interest. 
4.323.  In conclusion, Thailand would like to expr ess its appreciation to the Turkish delegation for 
today’s presentation and responses to our questi ons. We are thankful for the cooperation with 
Turkey in every level, including that between our Geneva-based delegations. 
URUGUAY 
4.324.  En primer lugar nos sumamos a las manifestaciones de condolencias por los trágicos 
acontecimientos que tuvieron lugar en Ankara durante el fin de semana. 
4.325.  Felicitamos a Turquía por los buenos resultados alcanzados en materia de desempeño 
económico y comercial en el período 2011-15, incluso ante el difícil entorno exterior señalado en el 
informe de la Secretaría.  
4.326.  En oportunidad de nuestra intervención, también nos gustaría destacar determinadas 
secciones del informe de la Secretaría relevantes al  sector de la agricultura. Al respecto, tomamos 
nota que Turquía se ubica en la 7ª posición del ranking mundial de principales productores agropecuarios y también de su impresionante superávit anual en el comercio de productos 
agropecuarios. En 2014, las exportaciones de productos agrícolas representaron el 11,7% de las 
exportaciones totales.  Además el sector fue responsable de aproximadamente el 9% del PIB y del 21% del empleo de Turquía. 
4.327.  El informe de la Secretaría también alerta respecto a las distorsiones al comercio y la 
producción generadas por determinados programas gubernamentales, sobre todo respecto a la 
agricultura. Asimismo, dicho informe llama la atención respecto a los altos aranceles aplicados a los productos agrícolas, elemento que genera incertidumbre para los interlocutores comerciales no 
abarcados por acuerdos comerciales. Por último, el citado informe también señala que Turquía no 
notificó al Comité de Agricultura de la OMC sus programas de ayuda interna ni de subvenciones a las exportaciones. En este sentido, hacemos un llamado a las autoridades de Turquía para que a la 
brevedad posible se pongan al día con los compromisos de notificación asumidos a nivel 
multilateral.  
4.328.  Por otra parte, reconocemos los avances registrados en materia de procedimientos 
aduaneros, en particular, el programa de ventanilla única y la puesta en marcha del programa de 
operadores económicos autorizados (OEA) y además registramos la notificación de los 
compromisos de la categoría A en virtud del Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio. 
4.329.  Uruguay no puede dejar de reconocer la activa participación de Turquía en el sistema 
multilateral de comercio. Turquía es un Miembro que muestra un gran compromiso con la labor de 
la OMC y es también un fuerte impulsor de las negociaciones en curso.  
4.330.  Para concluir, no podemos dejar pasar la oportunidad de suscribir uno de los comentarios 
realizado por la delegación de Brasil respecto a la conveniencia de reactivar el acuerdo marco 
MERCOSUR–Turquía. En tal sentido, también deseamos dejar registrado el interés de Uruguay en retomar las conversaciones bajo este instrumento.  De hecho, una de las preguntas cursadas por WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  Uruguay a Turquía en el marco de este examen de política comercial justamente registra el interés 
de nuestro país en conocer las negociaciones en curso y eventuales acercamientos comerciales de Turquía con terceros países y/o grupos de países.  
4.331.  Quedando a la espera de las respuestas a las preguntas cursadas por Uruguay en el día de 
la fecha, aprovechamos la ocasión para desearle a la delegación turca el mayor de los éxitos en el 
desarrollo de este nuevo examen de su política comercial 
NORWAY 
4.332.  At the outset, allow me to express our sincere condolences to Turkey and our sympathy 
with the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Ankara. 
4.333.  Between 2001 and 2010, Turkey experien ced continued economic growth, but since 2010, 
growth levels have not been as stable. Nonetheless, trends are still positive despite low growth in 
the EU-Turkey's main trading partner. The main drivers of growth have been domestic 
consumption and exports. Contributing factors have been relatively low labour costs, good infrastructure, and proximity to the EU. The recent geopolitical crisis in the region and the ongoing 
refugee crisis pose challenges to sustained growth. 
4.334.  Women's contribution to business and trad e is often overlooked. Raising awareness about 
the gender perspective is important. We note that one of the targets in the newly developed 
National Entrepreneurship Strategy and Action Plan for 2015-2018 involves women's 
entrepreneurship. Norway would be interested in learning more about plans and actions to promote this particular objective. 
4.335.  Trade between Norway and Turkey is mode rate but growing. In 2015, Norway's imports 
from Turkey amounted to US$680 million. The most important imports were articles of apparel and 
accessories and transport equipment. Norwegian ex ports to Turkey amounted to US$500 million in 
2015, with maritime, energy and seafood as the most prominent sectors. We have seen an 
increase in Norwegian seafood exports to Turkey for many years, but there is still untapped 
potential. 
4.336.  Norway attaches high importance to up holding the safety and quality of our seafood. 
Norwegian regulations in this field are fully harm onized with those of the EU. However, Turkey 
requires all seafood-trucks from Norway to be tested for dioxin before entering Turkey. The 
seafood is exposed to the same tests prior to expo rtation. We therefore ask Turkey to look into 
these procedures. 
4.337.  Together with the other members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Norway 
signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Turk ey in 1991. EFTA and Turkey are currently 
undertaking a review to modernize and expand the FTA. Norway is committed to finding solutions 
that accommodate the interests of both parties. 
4.338.  Allow me a few additional comments on Turkey's trade policy. 4.339.  Turkey is a considerable user of both anti-dumping and safeguard measures. During the 
review period, Turkey has extended several exis ting anti-dumping measures. Since 2012, Turkey 
has launched five safeguard investigations and extended safeguard measures in eight cases. Norway encourages a more restrictive use of trade defence instruments. 
4.340.  About 50% of Turkey's tariff schedule is unbound. Only 34% of industrial tariff lines are 
bound. The gap between bound and applied duties  on industrial products, combined with a 
relatively low incidence of tariff bindings, produces a lack of predictability and transparency. Norway encourages a higher level of tariff binding. 
4.341.  We note that Turkey continues to lag far behind when it comes to providing WTO 
notifications on agriculture. Norway urges Turkey  to redouble its efforts in contributing to 
transparency by updating its notifications in line with the notification requirements. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.342.  I would further like to emphasize our common interest in the Environmental Goods 
Agreement (EGA) negotiations. 
4.343.  Norway would like also to highlight the impo rtance of reduction of fossil fuels subsidies. In 
this regard, we encourage Turkey to share lessons  learned from their previous reform efforts. 
4.344.  After Bali and Nairobi, new and creative ideas on the way forward, constructive 
engagement and cooperation among all members ar e necessary to advance the WTO negotiations. 
Norway urges all Members to take an active part in this process, and looks forward to continued 
cooperation with Turkey to support and strengthen the WTO in the time to come. 
PHILIPPINES 4.345.  The Philippines woul d also like to express our deepest condolences to the victims of the 
recent car bombing incident in Ankara. 
4.346.  Turkey as an upper-middle-income country and the 17th largest economy in the world 
managed to gain modest grow over the five-year period (2011-2015) despite the difficult environment with low growth in the EU and conflict in the Middle East region. 
4.347.  It has remained to be an influential player in the global economy, especially through its 
leadership in the Group of Twenty (G-20) in 2015.  The Philippines would like to commend Turkey's 
G-20 Presidency for setting an agenda that focused on inclusive and robust growth through 
collective action. This was further identified as the Three I's of the Turkish Presidency: 
Inclusiveness, Implementation and Investment for Growth. 
4.348.  Trade was an integral part of this agenda, and we appreciate the emphasis given on the 
policies for enhancing the participation of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and Low 
Income Developing Countries (LIDCs) into the global economy as it coincides with the Philippines' 
priority to foster the participation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in regional and global markets. 
4.349.  MSMEs are an integral part of the Philippines economy, accounting for 99.6% of the total 
enterprises and 65% of total employment. Similarl y, in the Global perspective, MSMEs make up 
over 95% of all firms and account for 60% of to tal employment. They are likewise an important 
source of innovation and job creation, in particular for women and youth. 
4.350.  In line with this, the importance given by the G-20 to SMEs, through the presidency of 
Turkey, can be considered as a significant step to wards the realization of the greater participation 
of MSMEs in the global trade. 
4.351.  The Philippines would also like to ackn owledge its more than 65 years of diplomatic 
relations with Turkey, which have broadened and deepened remarkably in recent years. 
4.352.  The Philippines looks forward to the conven ing of the inaugural meeting of the Philippines-
Turkey Joint Economic Commission (JEC) as a way forward to develop further the trade and 
investment relations between our two economie s. We understand that scheduling has been 
challenging for both sides but Philippines is welcom e to convene the first Philippines-Turkey JEC at 
a mutually agreed date. 
BÉNIN
  
4.353.  La délégation du Bénin présente ses vives et sincères condoléances à la Turquie suite aux 
événements tragiques survenus à Ankara dimanche dernier. 
4.354.  La délégation du Bénin remercie la Turquie pour les informations importantes qu'elle nous 
a fournies sur les réalisations de la Turquie aux plans économique et commercial depuis le dernier examen de ses politiques commerciales. 
4.355.  Elle voudrait souligner les efforts déployés par le Gouvernement turque pour mettre en 
œuvre les différentes recommandations issues de son dernier examen de politiques commerciales WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  qui ont contribué à obtenir d'importants résultats avec un taux de croissance du PIB qui s'est établi 
à 3,1% au premier trimestre de l'année 2015, ce taux étant de 9,2% en 2010. 
4.356.  Classée 17ème économie mondiale, la Turquie a construit une économie qui est portée par 
la demande intérieure à hauteur de 5,4 points en 2015 et les exportations nettes ont contribué, 
quant à elles, à hauteur de 1,2 point la même année. 
4.357.  Ces résultats sont le fruit d'une politique budgétaire basée sur une stratégie visant le 
renforcement macroéconomique et financier qui soutient la croissance et réduit le déficit du 
compte des opérations courantes. 
4.358.  Sur le plan commercial, la Turquie a enregistré de bons résultats sur la période 2010-
2015, caractérisés par une expansion plus importante que la moyenne mondiale. En effet, les exportations ont été globalement en hausse , malgré une stagnation du commerce des 
marchandises observée au niveau mondial, en 2014, par l'OMC. Les statistiques de l'OMC 
indiquent que la Turquie est le 15
ème pays sur 40 États Membres de l'Organisation à avoir réussi à 
augmenter ses exportations annuelles totales. La  conséquence de cette dynamique expansionniste 
se traduit par le rapport du volume du commerce total au PIB qui était de 50% en 2014. 
4.359.  Cette performance est particulièrement constatée dans le secteur de l'automobile, des 
machines, des produits électriques et électroniques, l'agro-industrie, et le secteur des textiles. La 
Turquie promeut également le commerce des services  qui représente 22% des exportations brutes 
du pays, et plus de 40% en termes de valeur ajoutée. 
4.360.  La délégation du Bénin souligne avec haute appréciation que la Turquie fait partie des pays 
qui ont conclu le plus grand nombre d'accords commerciaux multilatéraux (avec son attachement 
marqué au Programme de Doha pour le développe ment (PDD)). Elle a également conclu plusieurs 
accords bilatéraux avec différents pays et groupes de pays, dans différentes régions du monde, ce qui traduit son attachement réel à la libéralisation du commerce. Ce faisant, la Turquie se classe 
parmi les pays les plus intégrés dans le système commercial multilatéral. 
4.361.  Sur la période 2004-2014, la Turquie, grâce à son programme d'incitation à 
l'investissement a reçu 8,5 fois plus d'IDE qu'elle n'en a attiré pendant les 80 années précédentes. 
La dynamique des entreprises turques de travaux pu blics à l'étranger s'est également confirmée, à 
la fin de novembre 2015. 
4.362.  Par ailleurs, la délégation du Bénin se réjouit des excellentes relations de coopération qui 
existent si heureusement entre le Bénin et la Turquie, avec l'échange de délégations de haut 
niveau, notamment plusieurs visites effectuées par l e  C h e f  d e  l ' É t a t  d u  B é n i n  à  A n k a r a ,  e t  l e s  
missions économiques effectuées à Ankara et à Cotonou, respectivement par des officiels et entrepreneurs béninois et turques dans le cadre des échanges économiques et commerciaux. Á ces 
occasions, plusieurs accords de promotion et protection des investissements dans différents 
secteurs d'activité ont été conclus. 
4.363.  La Turquie apporte également son expertise et son assistance technique au Bénin à travers 
la formation des étudiants béninois en Turquie, l'organisation des foires commerciales et 
artisanales, le développement du secteur du coton et des textiles, le tourisme, etc. 
4.364.  La délégation du Bénin voudrait exprimer ses vives félicitations à l'Ambassadeur Ilicak et à 
son équipe pour leur implication effective et leur contribution aux travaux de négociations 
commerciales multilatérales du Cycle de Doha. 
MAURITIUS 4.365.  At the outset, my delegation wishes to co nvey the solidarity of the people of the Republic 
of Mauritius with the people of Turkey in this enduring time following the vicious attack in Ankara 
on Sunday, which has cost the lives of more than 34 people. We wish to commend the resolve and resilience of the Government and People of Turkey in these dire moments. 
4.366.  Turkey’s geographic location, the size of the potential market, its young and growing 
population, a customs union with the EU, free fore ign-exchange and capital flows, and a large and WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  dynamic private sector, show promising signs. Re forms carried out by the Government of Turkey 
have put the public finances and the financial system on a sounder footing.  
4.367.  We wish to laud Turkey’s economic grow th performance. We recognize that improvements 
in the policy environment could produce substantially better results and thus we encourage the 
Government of Turkey to pursue those reforms that it has embarked upon aimed at improving the 
doing business climate.  
4.368.  Mauritius and Turkey are bound by close and friendly ties. Although our diplomatic relation 
dates back to the 1890's, our trade relations are more recent. Our two countries are, however, 
working hard to consolidate trade relations through the different agreements that we have concluded including the Free Trade agreement signed in 2011 and which came into force in 2013.  
4.369.  The Free Trade agreement is a turning poin t in the Mauritius-Turkey commercial relations. 
It has enabled Mauritius to benefit from enhanced market access. The Agreement provides duty 
free access on all industrial products from Turk ey and preferential access on a list of some 
50 agricultural products. The FTA is a reliable platform for creating greater synergy for the 
business communities of both countries.    
4.370.  Although there has been a slight fall in  our exports to Turkey from US$5.5 million to 
US$4.7 million from 2013 to 2014 respectively, there has been a diversification in our exports to 
Turkey shifting from denim fabrics to products such as high value added garments, biscuits (cake 
decoration), medical equipment among others.   
4.371.  As per the agreement, a Joint Committee needs to be established at senior official level to 
address the technical issues devolving from the FTA.  
4.372.  The rationale for an FTA with Turkey was pr ompted by the fact that Turkey is a signatory 
of a Customs Union Agreement with the European Union. Under the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement, Mauritius enjoys duty free quota free access to the EU on all products.   
4.373.  There is a need for greater access to Turkey in particular on products such as sugar, which 
so far has been excluded from the agreement.   
4.374.  Another issue which has to be addressed under the FTA is the streamlining of procedures 
related to Tariff Rate Quota which is a major challenge for Mauritian operators to export 
agricultural products to Turkey.   
4.375.  To make the FTA meaningful, the FTA will ha ve to be aligned with the IEPA signed with the 
EU. We hope to discuss this issue under the structures which have been established in the 
agreement.   
INDIA 4.376.  My delegation associates itself with yo ur statement, Mr. Chairman, of condolence and 
solidarity with the people and Government of Turk ey on the recent car bomb attack in Ankara. 
4.377.  Turkey has maintained a positive trajec tory in its economic growth since 2001 (except 
2009), which is commendable. However, like other countries, its economy has not been completely 
insulated from the difficult global economic enviro nment, low growth rate in the EU area and the 
geo-political stresses in the region. As a result, du ring the period under review, Turkey maintained 
a positive but uneven growth. In the first half of  2015, Turkish economy posted a growth rate of 
3.1 %, which is higher than the OE CD and the Euro area average.  
4.378.  Trade remains an important component to the Turkish economy and, as noted in the 
Secretariat report, the contribution of trade in  the GDP grew from about 48% in 2010 to 60% in 
2014. While the Customs Union with the EU continues to be a corner stone in Turkey’s foreign 
trade policy, its emphasis on diversifying its trade basket as well as markets has yielded positive 
results. On the trade facilitation front, Tu rkey has taken steps to modernize its customs 
procedures, and to achieve harmonization with its Customs Union partner in respect of technical WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  regulations and the SPS regime. However, as rega rds tariff protection, we note that Turkey’s 
overall applied tariff average increased slightly during the review period to 12.8 %.  
4.379.  We take note of the "Vision 2023" programme under which Turkey aims to expand its 
share in the world trade to 1.5% by using regional integration processes, fostering 
competitiveness, development of human capital an d up-gradation of technological base. We wish 
the Turkish Government every success in sustaining the positive growth momentum, notwithstanding geo-political challenges and the hesitant recovery in the global economy, through 
sound management of its fiscal policies, transparent, open and predictable investment and trade 
policy regime.  
4.380.  At the bilateral level, Turkey and India have deep historical connections. Today, our 
bilateral partnership is expanding across diverse sectors of mutual interest. The economic and 
trade ties between India and Turkey have deepen ed over the years and constitute an important 
pillar of the bilateral relationship. India’s trade with Turkey doubled from US$3.5 billion in 2010 to 
about US$7 billion in 2014. A number of Indian co mpanies have invested in Turkey. Similarly, 
Turkish companies continue to expand their operations in India, particularly in the infrastructure 
sectors. Though India’s exports to Turkey in certain sectors have been affected by increased use of trade remedy measures, going forward, we are co nfident of strengthening our partnership further 
and harnessing the full potential of trade and economic linkages between our two countries.  
4.381.  Both India and Turkey share a strong co mmitment to a fair and equitable multilateral 
trading system. We applaud Turkey’s active partic ipation and contribution in the DDA negotiations 
under the leadership of Ambassador H.E. Mr. Halu k Ilicak and his team in Geneva. Turkey and 
India have worked closely in the on-going negotiations, including as members of the G-33, and we 
look forward to continue our cooperation with the Turkish delegation. 
ALBANIA 
4.382.  First of all, we express our deepest condolences and sympathy for the victims who lost 
their life by the terrorist attack in Ankara. 
4.383.  Albania aligns itself with th e statement of the European Union.  
4.384.  We commend Turkey as the 17th largest economy in the world with 8.5 % GDP growth in 
2011. Although the economy slowed down in 2012,  for the following 2 years, Turkish economic 
growth rates were substantial in an environment where the global economic growth level remained low where the main engine of growth was net exports.  
4.385.  From our perspective, ,there are several areas where the Turkish economy has 
demonstrated success: First, the fiscal sector has been one of the cornerstones of Turkey’s 
ongoing economic resilience and has played leading role in maintaining a solid outlook in 
macroeconomic parameters; agriculture which remains an important part of the economy, and 
Turkey is a major world producer of agricultural products, ranking 7th in the world; manufacture where, over the past three decades, much of Tu rkey's economic development has been based on 
the country's large and diverse manufacturing base, including the SMEs which constitute a key 
part of the industrial sector in Turkey.  
4.386.  In the area of relations with EU, it is to denote that Turkey has continued its efforts to 
achieve harmonization of its legislation with the EU acquis. In addition, Turkey's National Rural 
Development Strategy that covers the period 201 4-2020, intends to create an integrative policy 
framework for rural development enabling the harm onization of Turkey's rural development policy 
with that of the EU within the context of its accession process.  
4.387.  In relationship with WTO, Turkey is an  important partner and stakeholder in the Doha 
Development Round and we recognize its active participation in the DDA negotiations, and we are sure on the continuation of Turkey's strong commitment and contribution the WTO objectives.   
4.388.  In the area of bilateral relations, Turkey is an important trading partner for Albania, ranked 
in the third place after Italy and Greece with US $363 million trade exchanges in 2015. In the field WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  of FDI, about 400 Turkish companies have invested in mining and heavy industry, road 
construction, banking services, etc.  
4.389.  We also acknowledge those relations are still far from the existing potentials. There are 
many promising sectors for more intensive trade and investment connections: infrastructure, 
energy, tourism, construction and services as well as  joint activities in the third markets, especially 
in the South-East Europe. 
4.390.  The recent geopolitical crisis in the regi on and the associated influx of refugees pose 
challenges to a sustained economic growth. In  this economic environment and the worldwide 
economic and financial crises, we support the Turkish Government to overcome those difficulties and to continue its objectives on economic and social prosperity.   
4.391.  While congratulating the Turkish economic  achievements, Albania encourages the Turkish 
government for further efforts to implement "the Tenth Development Plan, the Input Supply 
Strategy, and Turkey Vision 2023" which has set out multiple objectives for manufacturing, including increasing production of intermediate and finished goods in order to reduce the trade 
deficit. 
REPUBLIC
 OF MOLDOVA 
4.392.  First of all, let me convey our most hear tfelt condolences to the Turkish people and to the 
families of the victims of the terrorist attack th at occurred in Ankara on Sunday. We condemn such 
acts of violence and stand in solidarity with the Turkish people. 
4.393.  We would like to congratulate Turkey on its ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.394.  Ever since the Republic of Turkey beca me a Member of the World Trade Organization 
(WTO) in 1995, its economy has been on a path of  trade development and economic liberalization, 
moving from a centrally-planned economy towards a market-driven economy, becoming the 17th largest economy in the world, and the 7th largest retail market in Europe, with a significant growth 
of the total trade in goods and services from 48% of GDP in 2010 to 60% in 2014. After achieving 
significant growth of the real GDP of 4.2% in  2013, the economy slowed again to 2.9% in 2014. 
This reflected Turkey's vulnerability to capital inflows and contraction in agricultural output, due to 
adverse weather conditions. 
4.395.  Despite a challenging geopolitical environment, regional instability, currency devaluation, 
Turkey's economy and trade continued to grow over the 2011-2015 period. Growth has been 
based on relatively low labour costs, good infrastructure, and proximity to the European Union, its 
main trading partner. Turkey has aligned its unilateral preference regime with that of the EU as 
well, and with few exceptions, offers GSP, GSP+, and Everything-But-Arms (EBA) arrangements to certain developing and least developed countries. 
4.396.  To date, Turkey's Free Trade Agreements notified to the WTO, only cover trade in goods, 
but not services or investment. Nevertheless, Turkey has initiated procedures to include services and investment, as well as some other subject ma tters, in FTAs concluded with several countries, 
such as Republic of Korea, Albania, Bosnia-Her zegovina and the former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia.  
4.397.  We commend Turkey for applying the Generalized System of Preferences scheme, 
implemented by the Government of Turkey, acco rding to Art. 16 of Decision No. 1/95 of the 
Turkey–EU Association Council. With a view to maintain a positive trend in developing our trade 
relations, the Republic of Moldova considers pertinent for Turkey to continue extend the application of the GSP preferential regime to Moldova, until the ratification of the Moldova-Turkey Free Trade 
Agreement by both our countries and its further entering into force. This thesis is also supported 
by the DG Trade of the EU Commission. 
4.398.  The Republic of Moldova has signed a Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, with the 
objective that following its ratification by both sides, we shall be able to increase significantly the 
volume of the bilateral trade and economic relations between our countries. Moldova is in the process of ratifying this Agreement. It is now in the Parliament for the second reading and shall be WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  ratified by the end of the current month. We expr ess our hope that the Turkish side shall fulfil its 
commitment to ratify this important document as well, by which both countries will be able to contribute to the increase in volume of our bilateral trade of goods. 
4.399.  Turkey is one of the most important trading partner of Moldova, last year export to Turkey 
accounted for 3.3% and imports from Turkey 7,2%, of the total bilateral trade volume, which 
exceeded US$349,5 million in 2015 – a 16% increase compared to the year before.  
4.400.  Here, I would like to underline our appreciation of vast programme of assistance provided 
by TIKA in Moldova, in areas like regional development, social care and infrastructure. Turkey is 
one of the most dynamic investor in real estate and medical services. 
4.401.  We are convinced that there is still a great po tential to be explored in the fields of bilateral 
trade and investments.  
4.402.  The Republic of Moldova is confident that the 6th exercise of the trade policy review will 
help Turkey to achieve its economic objectives and fully honour its international commitments. 
4.403.  We look forward to continue further st rengthening our bilateral relations with Turkey. 
PAKISTAN 
4.404.  It is a great honour for me to speak today at this 6th TPR of Turkey. Pakistan and Turkey 
share important common history and important bilateral trade relations.  
4.405.  We express deepest condolences to the Go vernment and people of Turkey on the tragic 
incidents on Sunday and recent past. 
4.406.  Before commenting on Turkey's trade policy which is the primarily focus of this TPR, allow 
me Chair to briefly say a few words on the deep and strong history that our two countries share 
since Turkey-Pakistan relations derive their strength from history. 
4.407.  Following the establishment of Pakistan, both countries extended each other their support 
during the most difficult times. While Pakistan wa s supportive of Turkey in its independence war, 
Turkey provided unparalleled and unforgettable relief assistance to Pakistan when it was 
devastated by massive earthquake and flash floods in recent past.  
4.408.   On technical cooperation and economic front Turkey has been instrumental in helping 
develop Pakistan’s first comprehensive Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in two major cities and it is run by 
the Turkish Companies. Turkish companies are investing in field of renewable energy particularly, wind and solar. 
4.409.  People-to-people relations have been flourishing since long. The number of Pakistani 
c i t i z e n s  v i s i t i n g  T u r k e y  i s  o n  a  s t e a d y  r i s e  i n  r e c e n t  y e a r s .  T h o u g h  P a k i s t a n  i s  n o t  a  
Turkic-speaking country, its languages, particularly Urdu, is strongly influenced by the Turkic language of the Mughals before it became their empi re's official language. As a result, it has many 
loanwords from that language. The etymology of the word "Urdu" traces itself back to Turkic 
(Mughal) rule. 
4.410.  Both Turkey and Pakistan share Muslim  tradition in Sufism and Mysticism from Jal āl ad-Dīn 
Muhammad R ūmī – the mevlana of Konya and Shams Tabriz. 
4.411.  Pakistan and Turkey are both Members of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a ten 
(10)-country organization that is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the purpose of promoting economic, technical and cultural 
cooperation among the Member States. ECO is the successor organization of Regional Cooperation 
for Development (RCD) which remained  in existence since 1964 up to 1979. 
4.412.  When looking at the Turkish economy under re view, it is hearty to note the positive growth 
posted by the Turkish economy despite the many ch allenges it faced in the economic Environment, 
coupled with the migration crisis in the region. Turkey today has the largest number of refugees, WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  which is a burden on its economy and society. Pakistan can understand the economic and social 
impacts of this, for we have hosted 3.5 million refu gees for almost two decades. Despite all of this, 
Turkey's economy sustained a slow but nonetheless a steady growth. 
4.413.  The Turkish Government has developed well-targeted economic strategies consisting of 
comprehensive reforms in different sectors:  fiscal, monetary, foreign investments. 
4.414.  In order to further develop its trade, Turkey has developed important FTAs and PTA and 
still continuing to seek for FTAs with other partners including Pakist an. Pakistan-Turkey FTA 
framework agreement will hopefully be signed on 22 March 2016. 
4.415.  Strong domestic demand coupled with strategically devised and implemented fiscal policy 
actions were the key drivers for a positive growth of 2.9% of the economy in 2014. Despite a slowdown in the contribution of exports to the total economic growth, the economy still posted a 
positive trend. 
4.416.  It is also worth noting the adoption by Turkey of a well devised strategy for the medium 
and long-term in its fiscal policy: reducing current account deficit and achieving inflation target to 
maintain price stability, curbing public sector borrowing requirements and primary expenditures, 
controlling the pace of expenditures through infrastructure investments, promotion of regional development, education and R&D support. 
4.417.  Pakistan wishes Turkey all the best with its reforms and well targeted actions in order to 
achieve its Vision 2023 that will require Turkey to  transform its export composition from low-tech 
to high-tech products, diversify its target markets and sectors for exports, and pursue a pro-active policy both in goods and services exports. 
4.418.  In the end , I must acknowledge, active an d robust participation of Turkey at the WTO via 
its representation in Geneva, particularly HE Ambassador Haluk Ilicak under whose dynamic leadership Turkey has played critical role in all aspects of WTOs work. 
ARGENTINA 
4.419.  En primer lugar, expresamos nuestras profundas condolencias al Gobierno y al pueblo de 
Turquía por el atentado del último fin de semana.  
4.420.  La República Argentina observa con gran interés el desarrollo económico y comercial de 
Turquía dado que este Miembro ha logrado encaminarse en un crecimiento continuo de su economía desde 2001, a excepción del año 2009, año en el cual la mayoría de los países se vieron afectados por una crisis económica global. Resulta loable que Turquía haya crecido 
económicamente dándole prioridad al desarrollo de su pueblo, con claros planes en este sentido, 
tales como el Plan de Desarrollo Noveno (2007-2013). Enfocado, entre otros asuntos, en aumentar el empleo, fortalecer el desarrollo humano y la so lidaridad social, y aumentar la calidad y eficacia 
de los servicios públicos. 
4.421.  Asimismo, destacamos especialmente que Turquía haya reorientado la producción en la 
industria y los servicios hacia actividades de alto valor añadido. 
4.422.  Estas medidas sin duda fortalecerán el crecimiento que Turquía ha venido experimentando. 
Esperamos sinceramente que los objetivos que se  ha trazado Turquía, mediante su Plan de 
Desarrollo Décimo (2013-2018), para ser una de las principales economías mundiales en 2030, se cumplan satisfactoriamente. 
4.423.  La Argentina desea destacar el compromiso de Turquía con el comercio internacional, y 
comparte sus esfuerzos por contribuir a un sistema multilateral de comercio justo y equilibrado. 
4.424.  Dentro del contexto de este examen de política comercial, la República de Argentina 
recientemente ha presentado preguntas a Turquía, relacionadas, entre otros temas, con su 
sistema arancelario y con ayudas, incluyendo subvenciones, a la exportación de productos agrícolas. Agradecemos las respuestas que en su momento proporcione el Gobierno de Turquía. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.425.  Queremos destacar que en virtud de su dimensión económica, Turquía representa un 
mercado importante para colocar productos argentinos y atraer inversiones hacia nuestro país. Sin embargo, el volumen y la composición del comercio bilateral están aún lejos de alcanzar toda su potencialidad. En efecto, los actuales valores de comercio son muy inferiores al objetivo de 1.5 mil 
millones de dólares EE.UU. fijado para 2012 y que fue acordado bilateralmente en 2009, en el 
marco de la III Reunión de la Comisión Económica Mixta. 
4.426.  El saldo comercial se ha mantenido levemente favorable para la Argentina. Sin embargo, 
en 2015, por primera vez se registraría un déficit, sin bien poco significativo (9 millones de dólares 
EE.UU.). Las exportaciones argentinas a Turquía están fuertemente concentradas en manufacturas de origen agropecuario. En particular, las exportaciones de harina y pellets de soja representan más del 53% de nuestras ventas a Turquía (datos 2015). 
4.427.  Por su parte, las importaciones desde Turquía se concentran en manufacturas de origen 
industrial, y consisten fundamentalmente en bienes de capital (49,4%) y automóviles, y en menor medida, bienes intermedios y de consumo. 
4.428.  Cabe recordar que a partir del 1° de enero de 2014, la Argentina, junto con otros países, 
ha perdido la condición de beneficiario del SGP implementado por Turquía, dado que la normativa 
turca al respecto incorpora los mismos criterios adoptados por la Unión Europea. 
4.429.  La República Argentina desea continuar trabajando conjuntamente en busca de la 
profundización de los lazos bilaterales, ofreciendo sus esfuerzos para un aumento del relacionamiento entre ambos países en las áreas de agricultura, ciencia, tecnología y salud. 
4.430.  Finalizando, y al tiempo de reiterar nuestro reconocimiento por esta nueva oportunidad de 
intercambiar opiniones y consideraciones sobre las políticas y prácticas comerciales de Turquía, no 
quisiéramos dejar de resaltar una vez más la importancia de este ejercicio de transparencia en todos sus aspectos y desear a sus autoridades la exitosa conclusión de este ejercicio. 
KYRGYZ
 REPUBLIC 
4.431.  On behalf of the Kyrgyz delegation, let me  bring the condolences to Turkey on the tragic 
events in Ankara. We extend our deepest solidarity to the Government and people of Turkey. 
4.432.  Turkey is the 17th largest economy in the world. The Trade Policy review reports prepared 
by the Government of Turkey and by the Secretar iat reveal the stability of the Turkish economy. 
4.433.  The Kyrgyz Republic and Turkey have strong economic relationships. 4.434.  Turkey takes one of the leading positions among the major trading partners of the Kyrgyz 
Republic. 
4.435.  The Kyrgyz Republic has a number of bilate ral agreements with Turkey in spheres such as 
promoting the economy, investments, technical cooperation and others. 
4.436.  The delegation of the Kyrgyz Republic  wishes Turkey a successful sixth Trade Policy 
Review. 
GABON 
4.437.  Au nom du Gouvernement gabonais et en mon nom propre, je voudrais également 
adresser mes sincères condoléances au Gouvernement et au peuple de la Turquie, victime des attentats terroristes qui ont frappé Ankara dimanche dernier. Le Gabon condamne avec la plus grande énergie cet acte odieux. 
4.438.  A la lumière des rapports produits par le Secrétariat de l’OMC et par la délégation turque, il 
ressort que l’économie turque, tributaire du commerce international, n’échappe pas à l’instabilité des marchés financiers et monétaires, ainsi que le révèle sa croissance, passée de 2,1% en 2010 à 
2,9% en 2014 pour atteindre 3,1% au premier semestre 2015. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.439.  Ma délégation voudrait encourager la Turquie pour les efforts accomplis depuis son 5ème 
examen de politique commerciale pour faciliter la communication et la collaboration entre les entreprises, notamment par le lancement du projet pilote de guichet unique pour les postes frontières terrestres et par la mise en œuvre du programme d’opérateur économique agréé (OEA).  
4.440.  La délégation du Gabon se félicite également de l’attachement et de l’engagement de la 
Turquie au Programme de Développement de Doha (PDD), gage de l’établissement d’un système commercial multilatéral plus juste et équitable. 
4.441.  Le Gabon et la Turquie entretiennent des relations aussi bien diplomatiques 
qu’économiques. Ces relations ont été renforcées pa r la visite du Président Abdullah Gül du 24 au 
26 mars 2011 à Libreville et celle du Président Ali Bongo Ondimba, les 17 et 18 juillet 2012 à Ankara et en mai 2015 à Ankara. 
4.442.  Plusieurs Accords lient le Gabon et la Turquie, notamment, l’Accord général de coopération 
commerciale, économique, culturel et technique, l'Accord-cadre de coopération en matière de formation technique et scientifique dans le domaine militaire, l’Accord de coopération touristique, 
l’Accord sur la promotion et la protection réciproq ue des investissements, l’Accord sur les services 
aériens, l’Accord de coopération dans le domaine de la santé et des sciences médicales, et l’Accord de coopération dans le domaine de l’industrie de la défense. 
4.443.  De nombreux autres accords sont en cours de négociation pour étendre encore plus le 
champ de notre coopération déjà très riche. 
4.444.  Les échanges entre nos deux pays ont co nnu des fluctuations au cours de ces dernières 
années, particulièrement au niveau des importations qui sont passées de près de 7 millions de 
francs suisse (4 milliards de francs CFA) en 2008 à plus de 83 millions de francs suisse 
(50 milliards de francs CFA) en 2013. 
4.445.  Le Gabon importe de la Turquie tous types de produits (fer et acier, meubles, 
appareilla ges, produits alimentaires et textile). Ces importations ont quadruplé entre 2012 et 
2013. Á contrario, les principaux produits exportés par le Gabon vers la Turquie sont le pétrole et le bois. 
4.446.  La Turquie dispose de nombreux atouts qui en font un marché d’envergure. De même, 
qu’il dispose d’un important potentiel économique. 
4.447.  C’est fort de ce constat que ma délégation souhaite que ce 6ème Examen de politique 
commerciale de la Turquie connaisse un succès et que les mesures qui en découleront contribuent 
à consolider les relations multisectorielles qui existent entre nos deux pays. 
SRI
 LANKA 
4.448.  My delegation wishes to join in others expressing our deepest condolences on the 
devastating terrorist attack happened in Ankara last Sunday. 
4.449.  My delegation commends the efforts taken by the Government of Turkey to face 
challenges of the global economic crises. We believe that the results of these measures are 
emerging to show their impact as the Turkish economy has already started to show signs of 
coming back to its usual growth pattern. We also note the remarkable growth in exports during the period of 2011-2014 mainly led by its key export sectors of automotive industry and apparel. My delegation noted with great interest, the achiev ements of 2023 vision of the Government of 
Turkey. We also welcome Turkey's ratification of the TFA 
4.450.  Let me also briefly reflect on the histor ical close bilateral relations between Turkey and 
Sri Lanka. Turkey is a very important trading partner for Sri Lanka. The strong relationship 
between the two countries has grown steadily over the time. The value of total trade turnover 
between the two countries has increased from US$97 million in 2005 to US$311 million in 2014, registering an increase of around 310% compared to 2005. Both countries entered in to an 
agreement on Economic and Technical Co-operati on in August 2002 and it came into force in 
November 2007. Turkey has been a traditional supp lier of agri-products to Sri Lanka. Similarly, WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  Ceylon Tea has been popular among Turkey's cons umers and we believe there is great scope for 
further expansion of trade between the two countries. 
4.451.  My delegation welcomes Turkey's continue d commitment to the multilateral trading system 
and its active engagement in the negotiations in the WTO. I take this opportunity to convey our 
sincere appreciation to the Ambassador Haluk Ilicak and his team for their active role in the 
negotiations in Geneva. 
NIGERIA 
4.452.  Let me extend our condolences to the Go vernment and people of Turkey for the inhuman 
attacks of last Sunday. As stated by President Muhammadu Buhari "We all have to come together to present a common front to deal with terrorism". 
4.453.  As indicated by the Secretariat report, Nigeria is pleased to note that trade in goods and 
services grew from the equivalent of 48% of GDP in 2010 to 60% in 2014; and, in 2010, exports 
increased by 38% to US$157.7 billion in 2014 (curre nt prices). The majority of Turkey's exports 
are manufactured goods, in particular textiles and clothing (18.5%), automotive products 
(11.1%), chemicals (5.8%) and iron and steel (6.8%). This is a demonstration of how important 
trade has become to the economy of Turkey. 
4.454.  Trade remedies continue to be an important trade policy tool for Turkey, as it is one of the 
WTO's main users of safeguard and anti-dumping measures. Since 2012, Turkey initiated four 
safeguard investigations and extended safeguar d measures eight times. As for anti-dumping 
measures, Turkey ranks among the WTO's top ten users of these measures and activity has been high since 2012 with 25 investigations initiated and 14 measures imposed. There have been some 
amendments to Turkey's safeguard legislation during the review period impacting the investigation 
period. Nigeria, therefore, would like to undersco re the importance of preserving the fundamental 
principles of the existing trade remedy rules an d ensuring that those rules remain effective in 
addressing the problems of unfair trade confronted  by all Members, including developing countries 
and LDCs. 
4.455.  Nigeria and Turkey have maintained cordial political and economic relations, being 
members of the D-8. Nigeria and Turkey have over the years sought a way to fill the vacuum that 
exists between the two countries trade relations,  through signing of bilateral agreements and 
organizing joint trade and investments forum to help in fostering businessmen and investors' better understanding of investment opportunities that exist in both countries. Nigeria hopes that 
the relations would yield more investment to boost major sectors, including power, manufacturing, 
mining, construction, agro-allied, aviation and security. The two countries have signed an Economic, Scientific and Technological Co-operation Agreement that allows for the establishment 
of joint venture projects, exchange of technica l and scientific information and personnel. The 
present level of trade is far from reflecting the real potential of both countries, although there had been a considerable increase in the volume of trade. We acknowledge Turkey's leading role and 
active contributions to the DDA negotiations and its commitments to an ambitious and balanced 
outcome in agriculture and its support for a pro-development outcome. As members of G-33, both countries remain conscious of the subsistence nature of agriculture in developing countries and stress the need to ensure sustenance of li velihood of poor and vulnerable farmers. 
4.456.  The Federal Government recently (on 2 March 2016) signed a Memorandum of 
Understanding (MoU) on trade and economic partnership agreement with the Turkish Government to boost commerce and economic activities. The obje ctive is to raise the current trade volume of 
both countries, which currently stands at US$2.3 billion, through investment drive. Currently, our 
Government is facilitating discussion with up to 150 Turkish Businessmen and key representatives of the private sector in Nigeria to explore more areas of investments. 
4.457.  As Member of the WTO, Turkey has co ntinued to play a leading role in the DDA 
negotiations, and Nigeria hopes to continue further collaboration in the negotiations with Turkey.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  EL SALVADOR 
4.458.  En nombre del Gobierno de El Salvador, deseo unirme a las delegaciones que me han 
precedido en solidaridad con el Gobierno y el pueblo de Turquía por los lamentables acontecimientos del fin de semana en Ankara. 
4.459.  Pese a los factores externos que afectan a la  economía turca, tales como la reciente crisis 
geopolítica de la región y el flujo de entrada de  refugiados conexo, las condiciones meteorológicas, 
así como las secuelas de la recesión económica mund ial, ésta no ha dejado de crecer en el período 
examinado, tal como lo señala el informe del Gobierno, gracias a unos programas de política 
económica de gran alcance que han resultado decisivos, unos sólidos fundamentos macroeconómicos, ventajas en los mercados de capitales y la expansión del crédito. 
4.460.  Hemos observado también los esfuerzos que el Gobierno de Turquía ha venido realizando 
para minimizar los efectos de la volatilidad de las corrientes de capital en los mercados internos y 
aumentar la estabilidad financiera, para mejorar de la supervisión bancaria consolidada y la cobertura de los riesgos derivados de las entidades no bancarias que forman parte de un grupo, la 
regulación de las operaciones y la vigilancia de los sistemas de compensación de pagos y títulos y 
medidas relativas a los préstamos al consumo, en especial las tarjetas de crédito para controlar los riesgos sistémicos. 
4.461.  En el sector de las exportaciones, destaca el hecho que la composición sectorial de las 
exportaciones de Turquía ha cambiado hacia productos de mayor intensidad de capital y tecnología. También el sector de la confección es muy importante en términos de contribución al PIB, generación de empleo y exportaciones netas, centrándose en productos de valor añadido. Es 
interesante el creciente posicionamiento de Turquía en el mundo de la moda internacional, gracias 
a la orientación del sector hacia nuevos diseños y colecciones de moda para las esferas más altas del mercado de prendas de vestir internacional, conjugado con el objetivo fijado por el Gobierno 
de convertir a Estambul en uno de los cinco principales centros mundiales de la moda a partir de 
2023. 
4.462.  En el sector servicios, observamos también el posicionamiento mundial y crecimiento en 
los servicios audiovisuales, los cuales como se cita en el informe del Gobierno, según las 
estadísticas del mercado de salas de cine de la Motion Picture Association, se posicionaron en el 15° lugar a nivel internacional en términos de taquilla en 2014, generando ingresos de aproximadamente 30 millones de dólares EE.UU. 
4.463.  En el plano bilateral, el comercio entre El Salvador y Turquía es bastante complementario, 
ya que las exportaciones del El Salvador a Turquía durante el 2012-2014 se concentraron en azúcar refinada, prendas de vestir, bolsos de mano, reptiles, entre otros, mientras que las 
importaciones durante ese mismo período fueron medicamentos, productos de papel y cartón, 
automóviles, artículos de grifería, entre otros. 
4.464.  Por otro lado, observamos que el comercio bilateral con Turquía va en crecimiento, ya que 
nuestras exportaciones pasaron de 105 mil dólares EE.UU. en el año 2012, a un millón de dólares 
en 2014. Esta misma tendencia se observa en las importaciones desde Turquía, ya que en 2012 fueron de dos millones de dólares EE.UU., y en 2014 pasaron a 3.7 millones de dólares EE.UU. 
4.465.  En el plano multilateral, Turquía ha participado activamente en la Ronda de Doha y ha 
defendido enérgicamente la importancia de lograr el equilibrio en las negociaciones. También ha 
apoyado el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio (AFC), del cual se encuentra en su proceso interno de ratificación y ha ratificado ya el Protocolo por el que se enmienda el Acuerdo sobre los 
ADPIC. En cuanto a negociaciones plurilaterales en el marco de la OMC, Turquía participa 
oficialmente en las negociaciones del Acuerdo sobre Bienes Ambientales, cuyo objetivo es la eliminación de los aranceles sobre una lista de pr oductos considerados bienes ambientales, desde 
la quinta ronda de negociaciones, celebrada en marzo de 2015. 
4.466.  Aunque siempre quedan retos por superar para Turquía, como las señaladas en el informe 
de la Secretaría relativas a programas gubernamentales en el sector agrícola que distorsionan el comercio y la producción así como la incertidumbre que genera en los interlocutores comerciales el 
bajo nivel de consolidaciones arancelarias en el caso de los productos no agrícolas y los altos WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  aranceles aplicados a los productos agrícolas, Turquía ha tenido un desempeño económico muy 
bueno que lo coloca como la 17ª mayor economía del mundo, con un PIB de 799,000 dólares EE.UU. en 2014. 
QATAR 
4.467.  Let me begin by expressing our deep cond olences to the people and Government of Turkey 
on the tragic events that occurred on Sunday even ing in Ankara. On behalf of my Government, we 
stand in firm solidarity with Turkey and reiterate our continued support. 
4.468.  Turkey has an open and strong economy with a robust macroeconomic foundation. As 
shown by the reports, it is imminent that sinc e they're previous TPR Turkey has shown positive 
economic advancement. In 2014 Turkey's economy grew by 2.9%and in the first half of 2015 it 
grew by 3.1%. 
4.469.  Turkey's geographical positioning is very im portant to the region as it is a bridge between 
the Middle East and Europe. Turkey is also a stra tegic partner for the state of Qatar. We have 
successfully managed to translate our strong political relationship into a deep economic 
cooperation. Our two countries are characterized by robust two way trade and investment flows. 
4.470.  As a major trading nation, they are active Members in the WTO negotiations as we would 
like to applaud their efforts in advancing DDA negotiations. They have, on previous occasions, 
emphasized the need to integrate developing countri es and in particular LDC's into the multilateral 
trading system. 
4.471.  In conclusion, we appreciate the efforts made by Turkey at the regional and multilateral 
level to maintain an open global trading system and we wish Turkey a very successful sixth Trade 
Policy Review. 
OMAN 4.472.  At the outset, Oman would like to join others in expressing its condolences and solidarity 
with the Turkish Government and the people of Turkey following the horrific incident that took 
place in Ankara last Sunday. Our prayers are with  the 37 victims who died on that day and with 
their families and loved ones.  
4.473.  Oman has friendly, cordial relations with Tu rkey not only in the field of trade and economy 
but also in international affairs. We also cooperate in WTO activities and in Doha Round negotiations. 
4.474.  Turkey is the 17th largest economy in the world with a GDP of around US$800 billion. In 
2014, Turkey was the 21st biggest exporter of good s, the 15th biggest importer of goods and the 
16th biggest exporter of services. It is the 7th bi ggest producer of agricultural products in the 
world. These figures show the importance of Turkey  in the world economy and its place and role in 
the multilateral trading system. 
4.475.  My delegation congratulates Turkey on th e impressive performance of its economy and its 
foreign trade despite a challenging environment. It is noteworthy that in the first half of 2015 the 
Turkish economy grew faster than the OECD, G-7, EU and Euro Area. 
4.476.  Turkey’s performance in external trade has been remarkable in recent years. According to 
the WTO Secretariat report, Turkey’s total trade in  goods and services grew from 48% of GDP in 
2010 to 60% of GDP in 2014. Exports increase d by 38% from 2010 to 2014, reaching an 
impressive total of US$157 billion. 
4.477.  Whereas Turkey’s export performance has been impressive, its goods tariff has a lot of 
room for improvement. Unlike some smaller econ omies which have bound 100% of tariff lines, 
Turkey has bound tariffs only on 50% of its tari ff lines, and its bound rates are relatively high: 
72% bound tariff on agricultural products and 17.6% on non-agricultural products. The average 
applied tariff is 12.8% which is relatively high.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.478.  Turkey is an old Member of the multilater al trading system having joined the GATT in 1951 
and is an original Member of the WTO. Moreover, Turkey is actively engaged in a number of FTAs and Preferential Trading Arrangements. It support s a balanced outcome of DDA negotiations, and 
is also deeply committed to a balanced outcome of the negotiations. 
4.479.  The delegation of Oman is impressed by  the future economic and trade policy goals of 
Turkey. It is aiming to become the tenth largest economy in the world by the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Turkish Republic in 2023. 
4.480.   Its ambition is to achieve 12% average annual increase in exports to reach an export 
target of US$500 billion by the year 2023. We wish  Turkey all the success in its noble aspirations 
bringing development and prosperity to its people. 
4.481.  Finally we would like to congratulate Turkey on completing its internal process for 
accepting the protocol of amendment relating to the Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
MALI
  
4.482.  Notre pays présente, suite aux attentats perpétrés à Ankara, nos sincères condoléances. 
Ces attentats ont fait plusieurs victimes innocentes et des blessés. Nous assumons notre profonde 
tristesse et condamnons vigoureusement ces actes ignobles. Toutes nos condoléances aux familles attristées et nos prières pour une prompte guér ison des malades. Notre entière et constante 
solidarité va à l'endroit de la Turquie et de tous les pays victimes de ces actes, notamment ceux 
de notre propre sous-région ouest-africaine qui n'a guère été épargnée ces derniers moments.  
4.483.  Ma délégation voudrait remercier et féliciter les autorités turques pour la clarté et la 
précision du rapport qu'elles viennent de nous présenter. 
4.484.  Cette session arrive dans une perspective de croissance incertaine au lendemain de la 
grande crise économique mondiale.  
4.485.  Ceci n'a pas altéré les efforts, le choix d'une politique courageuse et audacieuse du 
Gouvernement turque ayant permis d'obtenir les résultats que nous apprécions aujourd'hui. En 
effet, depuis 2011, oú il était de 8,8%, la Turquie continue d'afficher un taux de croissance du PIB positif en dépit d'un environnement international encore difficile. 
4.486.  L'observation rigoureuse d'une discipline budgétaire en cohérence avec la stratégie du 
Gouvernement pour renforcer la stabilité macroéconomique participe fortement au soutien d'une croissance économique durable indispensable au développement. 
4.487.  Ma délégation note avec intérêt les résultats remarquables obtenus par la Turquie en 2014 
dans ses échanges commerciaux avec l'extérieur qui se sont soldés par une balance commerciale 
fortement excédentaire. Ce qui lui vaut le rang honorable de 15
ème sur 40 pays ayant réussi à 
augmenter leurs exportations annuelles totales. 
4.488.  Dans ce contexte, ma délégation se réjouit de l'excellence des relations économiques et 
commerciales qui ne cessent de se développer entre mon pays, le Mali, et la Turquie. 
4.489.  Ma délégation saisit cette opportunité pour saluer les efforts d'ouverture remarquables de 
la Turquie vers le reste du monde, en particulier, vers les pays africains dont le Mali et l'encourage 
à poursuivre les réformes engagées dont la mise en œuvre des normes de Bale II et Bale II.5 de 2012. 
4.490.  Nous sommes d'avis que le projet Vision 2023 du Gouvernement turque s'est fixé des 
objectifs ambitieux et qu'il est une étape majeure dans l'épanouissement de la population et la 
dynamique de l'intégration régionale. Une libéralisation plus poussée du commerce susceptible de générer davantage d'opportunités commerciales serait aussi salutaire pour l'atteinte des objectifs 
de la Vision 2023. 
4.491.  Tout en saluant son acceptation de l'amendement du Protocole de Marrakech relatif à 
l'Accord de facilitation des échanges de Bali 2013 et de celui de l'ADPIC, nous encourageons WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  fortement la Turquie à plus d'efforts dans ses notifications sur le commerce des produits agricoles 
dont, en particulier, le coton.  
4.492.  Mon pays le Mali se réjouit de l'excellence des relations politique, économique, 
commerciale et culturelle qu'il entretien avec la Turquie et qui vient d'être couronnée depuis deux 
ans et demie par l'ouverture respective d'ambassades dans nos deux capitales. 
4.493.  Le Mali réaffirme sa détermination à ne rien ménager pour fructifier davantage cette jeune 
mais dynamique coopération avec la Turquie. 
TUNISIE 
4.494.  Je voudrais tout d'abord exprimer de sincères condoléances à la délégation de la Turquie 
suite à l'horrible acte terroriste qui a frappé dernièrement la capitale Ankara. Mon pays a également souffert de ces actes et nous sommes solidaires avec le Gouvernement et le peuple 
turque. 
4.495.  Ma délégation tient à souligner les efforts considérables déployés par la Turquie depuis le 
précédent examen de sa politique commerciale, en vue de poursuivre sa politique de libéralisation 
économique et commerciale à travers le renforcement du processus d'ouverture, l'instauration d'un 
environnement propice au développement des investissements et la diversification des relations commerciales et économies avec ses partenaires, dont mon pays. 
4.496.  La Tunisie félicite la Turquie pour la croissance réalisée ces dernières années et les efforts 
déployés pour conjuguer équilibre, développement et stabilité et ce, malgré la crise qui continue d'affecter l'économie mondiale. 
4.497.  Il convient de constater que l'économie de la Turquie a connu une forte croissance ces 
dernières années grâce à des programmes de politique économique décisifs et des fondations 
macroéconomiques solides. Cette performance place la Turquie en tant que 17
ème économie 
mondiale, parmi les grandes économies dans le monde. 
4.498.  Le commerce représente une part importante de l'économie et, depuis 2010, les 
exportations ont progressé de 38% pour atteindre 157,7 milliards de dollars EU. 
4.499.  Par ailleurs, la crise sécuritaire et humanitaire à laquelle est confrontée la région du Moyen 
Orient et les flux de réfugiés qu'elle a entraînés ont posé également des difficultés pour plusieurs 
pays, dont la Turquie, dans la poursuite de la croissance de l'économie. 
4.500.  Malgré ces difficultés, les six premiers mois de 2015, l'économique turque a progressé de 
3,1%, enregistrant ainsi une croissance appréciable. 
4.501.  Il existe entre la Tunisie et la Turquie des liens historiques communs qui contribuent au 
dynamisme des relations bilatérales. Á ces liens s'ajoutent la similitude des positions et la convergence des approches sur la modernisation des deux pays. 
4.502.  La Tunisie et la Turquie sont parvenues, au cours des dernières années, à mettre en place 
des relations de coopération dans les différents domaines avec plusieurs accords et protocoles de coopérations. 
4.503.  Au niveau sectoriel, plusieurs commissions tuniso-turques touchant différents domaines se 
réunissent périodiquement. Sur le plan commercial,  nos deux pays ont signé en novembre 2004 
un accord relatif à la création d'une zone de  libre-échange. Plusieurs entreprises turques 
exportatrices (totalement ou partiellement) sont implantées en Tunisie ce qui contribue à la 
création de plusieurs postes d'emplois. 
4.504.  Nous apportons notre plein appui aux efforts de la Turquie et nous lui souhaitons tout le 
succès dans l'examen de sa politique commerciale. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  HONDURAS 
4.505.  En representación de la delegación de Honduras, deseamos manifestar nuestra solidaridad 
con la República de Turquía por los atentados ocurridos en Ankara. 
4.506.  En lo que concierne al Informe presentado , notamos con gran interés que la República de 
Turquía en el primer semestre de 2015, obtuvo la mayor contribución al crecimiento a través de la 
producción industrial, sobre todo en el sector del automóvil, el consumo y la inversión privada.  
4.507.  Al mismo tiempo, es notorio la contribución de los sectores de servicios en su conjunto, el 
cual fue de alrededor del 65% concentrándose en sectores tales como el transporte, el 
almacenamiento, el comercio al por mayor y al  por menor y las actividades inmobiliarias. 
Igualmente, destacan por su nivel de desarrollo e im portancia, los servicios financieros, el turismo 
y las telecomunicaciones. 
4.508.  Subrayamos que el comercio total de bienes y servicios aumentó del equivalente al 48% 
del PIB en 2010 al 60% en 2014 y a partir de 2010, las exportaciones aumentaron un 38%.  
4.509.  La República de Turquía sigue reconociendo  la importancia de atraer inversión extranjera 
directa a través de sus numerosos programas de incentivos, planes y zonas francas y también ha 
puesto su régimen de preferencias unilaterales en consonancia con el de la UE con algunas excepciones, en particular, para centrar las prefer encias en los países que más las necesitan tal es 
el caso de nuestro país que es beneficiario del SGP otorgado por Turquía. 
4.510.  Desatacamos que en 2015, el Gobierno de Turquía estableció nuevos incentivos a la 
inversión para las empresas, entre los que figuraban desgravaciones fiscales adicionales, más ayudas en relación con las primas de seguros, reducciones de los costos de los insumos para las 
importaciones industriales, y garantías para préstamos comerciales. 
4.511.  Resaltamos que Turquía es uno de los principales productores mundiales de productos 
agropecuarios, el séptimo a nivel mundial, con un superávit en el comercio de productos 
agropecuarios de aproximadamente 3.000 millones de dólares EE.UU.   
4.512.  Gran parte del desarrollo económico de Turquía se ha basado en la amplia y diversa base 
manufacturera del país, sumado a costos laborales relativamente bajos, el buen nivel de formación 
de la mano de obra y su ubicación estratégica. 
4.513.  Nos llama la atención, la base de su visión a largo plazo para 2023, mediante la cual 
Turquía se propone convertirse en una de las 10  principales economías del mundo, con un PIB de 
alrededor de 2 billones de dólares EE.UU., un PIB per cápita de 25.000 dólares EE.UU. y 
exportaciones por valor de 500.000 millones de dólares EE.UU y para lograr esos objetivos ha 
elaborado varios planes a corto y medio plazo.  
4.514.  Con arreglo a su Plan Estratégico de Exportación para 2023, Turquía se propone lograr una 
participación del 1,5% en las exportaciones mundiales, con un aumento medio anual de las 
exportaciones del 12% y es de notar que el crecimiento del sector turístico turco ha sido superior al crecimiento mundial del sector. 
4.515.  En 2014, Turquía fue el sexto país del mundo en lo que a llegadas de turistas 
internacionales se refiere y el duodécimo en cuanto a los ingresos derivados del turismo. El objetivo de Turquía para el año 2023 es alcanzar unos ingresos de 50.000 millones de dólares EE.UU. y una cifra de 50 millones de turistas. 
4.516.  En el ámbito regional, Turquía ha dado pasos para iniciar negociaciones de un ALC con los 
países centroamericanos y en lo que respecta a nuestro comercio bilateral para el año 2015 exportamos 650,000.00 (seiscientos cincuenta mil dólares EE.UU.) en prendas de vestir, café 
juguetes y muebles e importamos 5,300,000.00 dólares EE.UU. en maquinaria, fundición, hierro, 
prendas de vestir, vehículos y productos farmacéuticos entre otros.  
4.517.  En el año 2015, representantes de nuestros países firmaron un acuerdo de cooperación 
económica y comercial con el objetivo de fomentar la cooperación en las áreas de agricultura; WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  desarrollo de la ganadería y seguridad alimentaria; energía y recursos minerales; pesca; salud; 
seguridad social; industria; desarrollo de la pequ eña y mediana empresa; construcción y servicios 
de consultoría; turismo; ciencia y tecnología entre otros. 
4.518.  Agradecemos a la Agencia Turca de Cooperación y Coordinación (TIKA), por la entrega de 
una donación de 313,598.25 dólares EE.UU. para fortalecimiento de la Universidad Nacional 
Autonoma de Honduras (Centro Universitario Region al de Occidente "CUROC"), el Hospital Escuela, 
la Secretaría de Salud, la Escuela Agrícola Panamericana Zamorano y la Asociación Nacional de 
Industriales.  
TAJIKISTAN 4.519.  On behalf of the Tajikistan's delegation , let me bring the condolences to Turkey on the 
tragic attack in Ankara. 
4.520.  Turkey takes one of the leading positi ons among the major trading partners of the 
Republic of Tajikistan. 
4.521.  I want to express my gratitude to Turkey for having prepared a comprehensive and 
detailed trade review. 
4.522.  The delegation of the Republic of Taji kistan wishes Turkey a successful Trade Policy 
Review. 
GEORGIA 
4.523.  First of all, allow me to express my heartfelt condolences regarding the recent tragedy in 
Ankara. 
4.524.  Turkey-Georgia cooperation is a remarkable example of how two neighbouring countries 
can mutually enjoy each other's potential in order to increase the prosperity of their people. In 
recent years, as a result of the liberalization  of trade between Georgia and Turkey, successful 
projects and initiatives were implemented almost in all areas of the Georgian economy. 
4.525.  Now, I would like to indicate main macroeconomic indicators. 
4.526.  According to the latest statistics, in 2015, trade turnover between Georgia and Turkey 
exceeded US$1,5 billion (1 516.7 min, which is 15% share in total trade turnover of Georgia), 
which makes Turkey the second largest trading partner of Georgia, following the EU with total 
trade turnover. 
4.527.  In 2015, Export amounted to US$186 million  (8% share in total export of Georgia) and 
Import amounted to US$1,3 billion (1 330.7 mln.) (17% share in total import of Georgia). 
4.528.  Now let me draw your attention to the information on FDIs. 
4.529.  Turkey has been one of the top investor co untries in Georgia in recent years. In 2015, the 
flow of the Turkish FDIs in Georgia has increa sed by 23% and amounted to US$77.3 million (6% 
share in total FDIs of Georgia). 
4.530.  In parallel with these developments, the bilateral cooperation in different sectors, including 
tourism produced remarkable results as well. Number of overall visitors from Turkey to Georgia 
serves as clear demonstration of the mentioned cooperation. For your information, during the past 
10 years the number of overall visitors from Turk ey has amounted to almost 9 million visitors. 
BAHRAIN 4.531.  I would like to join others in offering our condolences to the Turkish people for the events 
in Ankara on Sunday, our thoughts and prayers are with them. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  4.532.  Turkey is an important regional partner of  Bahrain, sharing a strong economic relationship. 
The value of our total bilateral trade reached US$500 million last year, up more than 36% since the last review in 2012. Turkey is also the major destination for Bahraini aluminium, making up more than 70% of the US$290 million exports to Tu rkey last year. This trade has been further 
cemented by a number of bilateral economic agreements such as the Agreement on Economic, 
Trade and Technical Cooperation and Agreement fo r Promotion and Protection of Investments. 
4.533.  Therefore, we are happy to see that Turkey 's economy has been able to continue to grow 
by 3.1% last year, despite the challenges faced during the period under review, including the 
ongoing geopolitical situation at their borders, as a result of their comprehensive economic policy programmes. We are also delighted to see from the report that, if the targets set as part of their 
Vision 2023 Programme are reached, Turkey will be among the world's largest economies, and 
promises to have trade liberalization at all fr onts, with potential to deliver new trading and 
investment opportunities, which could further increase our current economic relationship. 
BANGLADESH 
4.534.  Let me join others in expressing our deep est condolences to the people of Turkey and the 
victims of the terrorist attack. 
4.535.  As noted in the Secretariat report, the economy of Turkey had an uneven growth during 
the period under review despite a significant in crease of trade GDP ratio which shows Turkey's 
importance to trade. We appreciate the active role of Turkey in the WTO negotiations. 
4.536.  Bangladesh has long history ties in cult ural, political and economic relationship with 
Turkey. We cooperate with each other in multilateral fora. 
4.537.  We would like to note that Bangladesh has benefitted from the duty-free and quota-free 
market access provided by Turkey since 2007 in lin e with the European Union. This initiative has, 
indeed, increased Bangladesh exports to Turkey and allowed to have huge development of benefits 
to Bangladesh, particularly in employment. 
4.538.  In 2001, Turkey was the fourth largest destination of our exports after the European 
Union, the United States and Canada. 
4.539.  However, the additional duty imposed by Turkey on textile and clothing in July 2011 has 
hampered the export growth of Bangladesh in Turkey . In this context, we would be grateful if the 
delegation of Turkey could inform us whether this a dditional duty on textile and clothing is still in 
place. If yes, has the Government of  Turkey any plan to withdraw it? WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF  TURKEY AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 
5.1.  At the outset, let me once again state that we are sincerely grateful to Members who have 
expressed their solidarity with the people of Turkey following the recent terrorist attacks in Ankara and also would like to thank you all for your support. 
5.2.  I also thank all the distinguished Members for having participated in the sixth Trade Policy 
Review of Turkey. Let me express my sincere gratitude to the Permanent Representative of 
Malaysia, Ambassador Mariam MD Salleh, for being the discussant of our TPR and her insightful 
comments. I would also like to convey our apprec iation to Ambassador Paparizov for the efficient 
way via which he has conducted our work. 
5.3.  We were pleased to observe the keen interest and very active participation displayed by 
Members on Tuesday. Fifty-three delegations made interventions, which Turkey considers an 
explicit sign of interest. Turkey welcomes all those constructive contributions and interventions 
made.  
5.4.  We were also encouraged by the positive remarks on the strength of the Turkish economy in 
an environment of global slowdown, and do appr eciate the desire expressed by all members for 
having deeper bilateral trade and economic relations with Turkey. 
5.5.  I am pleased to inform you that we have submitted written answers to over 400 questions 
raised before the deadline. I hope Members ha ve had time to review these responses.  
5.6.  We have listened to all the contributions and have also taken note of concerns raised.  5.7.  Let me underline that Turkish economy cont inues to grow. The average annual growth rate of 
the Turkish economy was 5.4% between 2009 and 2014. Despite serious economic and financial 
volatility in the global economy and geopolitical tensions in the region, the Turkish economy 
posted a robust performance in 2015, with a growth rate of around 4%.  
5.8.  In 2015, the decline in commodity prices ge nerated a strong downward pressure on imports. 
In this economic environment, Turkish export s volume increased by 1.3%. Consequently, the 
current account deficit to GDP ratio declined to around 4.5% in 2015 from 5.8% in 2014. 
5.9.  Since most of the issues raised are common, I intend to cover key points without addressing 
them on country basis. I am hoping to cover most of the raised issues.  
5.10.  Agriculture continues to be a key sector for the Turkish economy. Although Turkey has 
undergone certain restructuring efforts in its agricultural policies in the last two decades, there are persistent problems. It is a fact that an agricultural transformation is a long process with potential 
implications on wider economic and social policies. That fact requires countries to act cautiously, 
including Turkey.  
5.11.  Because of the sensitivity of agriculture, in order to deal with market access issues fairly, 
agriculture policies should be treated in their entirety including export competition and domestic 
support issues along with the tariffs. Thus, the best way to deal with agricultural market opening is multilateral negotiations and Turkey is open to contribute to the negotiations under the WTO.  
5.12.  We believe that in addition to our engagement in multilateral negotiations, alignment with 
the EU acquis and continuing FTA negotiations are the tools to carry forward Turkish agricultural sector to a more open and competitive environment.   
5.13.  Turkey will notify its export subsidies by June meeting of the WTO Committee on 
Agriculture. On the other hand, we have al ready started a work programme to complete 
notifications on agricultural domestic support programmes as well.  
5.14.  In response to concerns expressed by ma ny Members regarding the frequent use of trade 
remedy measures, I would like to reiterate that the process for trade remedies is conducted in a 
transparent manner strictly in line with the WTO Agreements. Throughout the process, Turkey fully invokes its rights under the WTO to address unfair trade practices causing injury to the domestic WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  industry. Also, for example, since the inception of WTO, Turkey has taken 14 safeguard measures 
of which only three were taken during the last seven years. Currently, four safeguard measures are in effect and one of which will be phased out next month. Furthermore, all the safeguard measures are progressively liberalized in order to ensure the adaptation of the local industries to 
international competition.  
5.15.  As for the unbound tariffs in non-agricult u r a l  g o o d s ,  T u r k e y  i s  c o m m i t t e d  t o  b i n d  i t s  
remaining tariff lines according to the agreed final outcome within the context of the Doha 
Development Agenda, 
5.16.  In public procurement, legislation and impl ementation in Turkey do not create a significant 
barrier for the participation of foreign bidders to public contracts. Foreign and domestic bidders have the same rights regarding any procurement proceedings and information disclosure. 
5.17.  Turkey has a quite liberal FDI regime ba sed on equal treatment of domestic and foreign 
investors. Some Members expressed their concerns about investment restrictions in a limited number of sectors. These types of restrictions are applied in most countries for the sustainability of 
the domestic services industry and national secu rity purposes. Even some of these requirements 
such as permissions or licenses are valid both for foreign and domestic investors. 
5.18.  Turkey’s requirements in some areas such  as mega healthcare public-private-partnership 
(PPP) projects are not aiming to discriminate foreign investors but to provide an enabling 
environment for the cooperation between domestic and foreign investors. 
5.19.  Thanks to the increasing foreign trade volume and to favorable business climate, Turkey has 
become a major hub for global FDI flows. With its outstanding performance in the last 13 years, 
Turkey succeeded to host US$12. 7 billion of FDI on annual average. Despite negative global 
conditions, upward trend in FDI inflows pursued with a 32.4% increase and inflows reached up to US$16.6 billion in 2015. 
5.20.  Turkey is aware of the fact that improv ing investment climate is an ongoing process. 
Accordingly, improving investment environment is among the top priorities of 2016 Action Plan of 
the Government as well as the 10th Development Plan. In addition, possible concerns of 
international investors in Turkey are taken into account through the Coordination Council for the 
Improvement of Investment Environment (YOIKK). This Council is a public-private dialogue platform prioritizing private sector suggestions. Recently, the chairmanship of that Council has been upgraded to Deputy Prime Minister level in order to underline the political ownership of the 
process. 
5.21.  When it comes to intellectual property  rights, Turkey continues to support effective 
implementation of rights and obligations with in the framework of the TRIPS Agreement.  
5.22.  In parallel to economic development in the last decade in Turkey, the number of 
applications for the protection of patents, trademarks and designs are on the constant rise. According to the latest report of WIPO, Turkey has been ranked at the 7th place in the world 
according to its resident Intellectual property activity by origin out of 80 countries. 
5.23.  Implementation of IP policies is amon g the top priorities of Turkey and enforcement 
capacity is being further strengthened on a continuo us basis. In addition to those, new Industrial 
Property Rights Law is in the pipeline. 
5.24.  As commended by many Members on Tuesday, in recent years, development policies have 
started to play much bigger role in the overall policy making in Turkey. As one of the concrete 
indications of this policy move, official developm ent aid provided by Turkey is on the rise. Annual 
development aid which was US$601 million in 2005 reached to US$3.6 billion in 2014. 
5.25.  In line with its development policy, Turk ey has taken decisive steps towards integrating 
LDCs more into the global trading system.  
5.26.  Turkey has already notified its preferential  treatment for LDCs in services trade. Turkey 
believes that market access opportunities should go hand in hand with capacity building efforts for WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  LDCs. In addition, facilitation of the mobility of LDC service suppliers is vital for them to 
meaningfully benefit from th e preferential treatment.  
5.27.  Turkey provides important market access opportunities for LDC’s exports under its GSP 
Scheme which further increases export capabilities of the LDCs. Turkey’s unilateral preferential 
imports for 2014 amounted to 8.3% of its total imports.  
5.28.  In the course of first day’s discussions,  some countries pointed out the importance of 
increased Global Value Chain (GVC) participation. Indeed, Turkey has a strong presence in GVCs, 
while there is room to upgrade production chains  with a focus on high value added products. In 
recent years, services sector has gained an incr eased role in GVCs. According to OECD Trade in 
value added (TIVA) indicators, the contribution of services in Turkey is over 40% in value added 
terms. In coming years, policies towards reaching out more open, diversified and competitive 
markets will help further to improve productivity in the entire economy. 
5.29.  Let me open up a parenthesis and say that taking into account the SMEs’ contribution to 
value-added exports, increasing their productivity and competitiveness are the main policy targets 
of Turkey in order to move up in Global Value Chains. 
5.30.  As highlighted by many Members during the first day of the review, since services sector 
has a prominent role in the Turkish economy, the competitiveness of services is a priority in our 
strategic plans.  
5.31.  We are already observing success stories in sectors such as film industry, health services 
and software production alongside traditional export sectors like tourism, transportation and construction. In this respect, Turkey prioritizes diversification of services exports in terms of both 
destination and sector wise.  
5.32.  In order to level the playing field and address genuine impediments faced by the business 
community, Turkey increasingly negotiates trad e agreements covering trade in services.  
5.33.  Let me also take this opportunity to make a few remarks over women’s participation in 
business in Turkey. In last ten years, number of women entrepreneurs in Turkey increased by 78%. Among other things, "The 10th Development Plan (2014-2018)" aims at increasing women’s 
participation in the work force, while raising the quality of labour for the youth and women.   
5.34.  Also, it was the first time in the G20 that  Turkey, as the G20 Term President, organized a 
Women 20 Summit in October 2015 in Antalya which underlined the importance of economic empowerment of women.  
5.35.  Vision 2023 which aims to carry Turkey into  one of the world’s biggest economies puts an 
ambitious goal to achieve.  
5.36.  Certainly, as a country targeting 1.5% sh are from global trade by 2023, Turkey aims at 
increasing its international competitiveness, transforming its production structure from low to 
medium and high tech products and diversifying its export markets among others.  
5.37.  Proactive policy to broaden the scope of Fr ee Trade Agreements both in terms of coverage 
and geography is a solid indication of Turkey’s determination to reach the goals of Vision 2023. 
Also, upgrade of the Customs Union with th e EU will be a giant step in this vein. 
5.38.  In compliance with its efforts to diversify its export markets, Turkey’s trade has already 
reached to US$19.5 billion with African countries and US$7.2 billion with Latin American countries. 
5.39.  I would like to emphasize that the 64th Government of Turkey announced a comprehensive 
structural reform agenda in order to support su stained economic growth and reach to the 2023 
targets.  
5.40.  On the monetary policy front, the Central Bank of Turkey maintains its instrument 
independence. The price stability objective, which is of primary importance, will be supplemented by the measures to attain financial stability.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  5.41.  Guided by these institutional principles an d reform agenda, we strongly believe that Turkey 
will manage to reach the 2023 targets. 
5.42.  Before I finis h my words, I hereby would like to share with you that this trade policy of 
Turkey has also coincided with Turkey’s submission  of Trade Facilitation Instrument of Acceptance 
by becoming the 71st ratifying Member of the WTO. 
5.43.  I thank all delegates for their contribution and comments.  5.44.  Let me also thank Mr. Paparizov and welc ome the incoming Chair Madame (PR) Irene Young 
and wishing her good luck. 
DISCUSSANT 5.45.  I would like to thank Mr. Husnu Dilemre and his team for the comprehensive response to 
the issues raised on Turkey’s trade polices during this review.  
5.46.  I believe that your open and constructive approach throughout this exercise has allowed 
Members to better understand and benefit from Tu rkey’s experiences. The additional information 
provided in your statement helped to further clarify some of the issues. We note that additional 
questions have been posed and that you will provide the answers in due course.  
Overall assessments 5.47.  We had heard Members’ acknowledgement of the efforts made by the Government of 
Turkey to stay on course of its economic refo rms and improvement of its trade policies. These 
have helped Turkey weathers through recent ex ternal shocks. Despite its currency and financial 
market volatility coupled with high inflation since mid-2013, it is recognized that Turkey’s economic growth is an inspiration to many developing countries. 
5.48.  With over 50 Members taking the floor, it showed the importance of Turkey as a trade 
partner. Members underscored Turkey’s construc tive engagement in the WTO, its valuable 
contribution to the work of the regular Committees and in the DDA negotiations. We look forward 
to Turkey’s leadership and pragmatism as Members prepare for meaningful outcomes for the 11th 
Ministerial Conference next year. 
5.49.  I would like to highlight some of the comments made by Members particularly the LDCs that 
took the floor. Members praised the significant role played by Turkey in assisting LDCs’ integration 
to the multilateral trading system. These includ e Turkey’s commitments in implementing the 
duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market access, pref erential treatment for LDCs in services trade 
as well as ratification of the Protocol amending the TRIPS Agreement. I take this opportunity to 
congratulate Turkey for being the 71st Member of the WTO to ratify the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement. It is important that others follow su it so that the Agreement can be fully implemented 
as soon as possible and benefit all Members. 
5.50.  Members have also expressed some specific concerns. Without being exhaustive, I would 
like to flag some of them. 
Challenges  
5.51.  Members noted that, despite the various step s of trade liberalization taken by Turkey, high 
tariff remain a potential barriers to trade. Specifically, the gap between the overall bound tariff rates and the applied MFN rates as well as the high level of tariff protection in agriculture as compared to industrial goods. Members encouraged Turkey to review swiftly the 70 over lines that 
are beyond its maximum binding commitment at the WTO. We certainly welcome the 
announcement made that Turkey will be submitting and updating its notification in domestic support as soon as possible. 
5.52.  There were also concerns expressed on stringent SPS and TBT requirements and the need 
to align these with international standards. Members I am sure welcome the statement made by Mr. Dilemre that this is one area being pursue d for improvement by Turkey. Above all, Members WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  urged Turkey on the need to ensure that sanitary regulations and technical rules are based on 
scientific study, risk analysis and international standards, and for them to be transparent and predictable. 
5.53.  Members welcome the streamlining of Turkey ’s customs procedures and the implementation 
of trade facilitation measures such as abolishmen t of licensing requirements for a wide range of 
products as well as implementation of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) to facilitate trade. However, at the same time, Members have also expressed concerns on the import regime which in 
some procedures remain complex and burdensome and resulted in costly delays at the border. 
5.54.  One of the common concerns raised was on Turkey’s frequent use of safeguard and 
anti-dumping measures. Members urged Turkey to exercise due restraint and conduct a thorough review to ensure that measures are taken only  if they are fully justified and not used for 
protectionist purposes.  
5.55.  To foster a stronger investment regime and business facilitation, Members are of the view 
that deeper reforms, reinforcing security measures, reducing the costs of doing business and 
strengthening protection and enforcement of the intellectual property rights would contribute 
towards attracting more FDIs. 
Concluding remarks 
5.56.  TPR is of value when Members believe that a constructive and critical dialogue would help us 
towards a deeper understanding of each other's policies and the commitment to align them with 
WTO rules and obligations. I am confident that Turkey would continue with its reform agenda.  
5.57.  We wish Turkey every success for its Vision 2023. I can foresee that at the 7th Trade Policy 
Review, we will hear more of the various mileston es to be achieved through the short and medium 
term plans as outlined in this review. 
5.58.  I take this opportunity to wish Mr. Dílemre and his team a safe trip home to Ankara while 
enjoying a bit of Geneva for the rest of the day. 
5.59.  Chair, let me take this opportunity to also thank you for your excellent chairmanship of the 
TPRB for the past year and welcome my friend Irene Young of Hong Kong, China, as the incoming 
Chair. 
THE
 SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU 
5.60.  My delegation thanks Turkey for its replie s to our written questions and we would also like 
to express our sincere congratulations to Turkey for approving the TFA and taking the reform 
agenda. 
5.61.  We have one follow-up question on safeguard, investment, investigation partners and seek 
clarification from the Government of Turkey. The qu estion has been sent to the Secretariat and we 
look forward to receiving the replies. 
EUROPEAN  UNION 
5.62.  The EU would like to thank the delegation of Turkey for the comprehensive replies provided 
to our advance written questions.  
5.63.  The EU hopes that Turkey will be in capa city to make all the notifications announced, in 
particular, but not solely, in the agricultural field.  
5.64.  The EU welcomes the confirmation that no export subsidies have been (or will be) granted 
to the Turkish fruits and vegetable sector. In the same way, we also welcome the confirmation by 
the Turkish delegation during this TPR that Turkey  intends to notify export subsidies for the next 
Committee on Agriculture in June 2016. The EU looks forward to that review.  WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  5.65.  However, the EU noted that in relation to the WTO transparency obligations for domestic 
support on agriculture, the Turkish replies do no t provide indication (even approximate) on when 
the Turkish authorities intend to submit this pending information to the WTO. The EU would like to recall the importance of the transparency provisio ns on domestic support for agriculture and that 
those pending notifications should be done as soon as possible and we have taken careful note of 
the statement this morning in this regard. 
5.66.  Additionally, the EU notes that there are st ill areas in Turkey's trade policy - in particular 
regarding import and customs procedures, VAT collection and SCT - that deserve some further 
clarification. Therefore, the EU has submitted a few follow-up and some additional questions 
covering these issues. We thank in advance the delegation of Turkey for its replies by the 
deadlines set in this Organization.  
5.67.  In conclusion, the EU would like to thank ag ain the delegation of Turkey for its reactive and 
constructive participation in this trade policy review. 
5.68.  Finally, the EU would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your work 
during this past year and welcome our new incoming Chair. 
UNITED
 STATES 
5.69.  I would like to join others in thanking the Turkish delegation for the active and constructive 
participation in the TPR. The statement this morning was very useful in responding to issues that have been raised and, as well the written answers to questions which we have studied with great 
interest. In particular, I would like to highlight our thanks to Turkey for its announcement this 
morning in regard to the agriculture notifications an d I would also like to emphasize that it will be 
to everyone's benefit for Turkey to be fully up-to-date with all of its notifications which will be 
consistent with its role as taking a leadership position in the WTO. 
KAZAKHSTAN 
5.70.  Since our delegation takes the floor for the first time during this TPR, we would like to 
express our most sincere condolences to the Turkis h delegation and to the people of Turkey and 
solidarity with them on the tragic incident in Ankara on Sunday. 
5.71.  Turkey is a strategic and close partne r of Kazakhstan. Trade and economic relations 
between Kazakhstan and Turkey are strength ening every year, including cooperation in 
construction, transportation and logistics, energy, agriculture, financial services and other areas. 
5.72.  Volume of total trade between Kazakhst an and Turkey, being among our top ten largest 
trading partners, reached approximately US$2 billi on in 2015, including US $1.3 billion of exports 
from Kazakhstan to Turkey and US$0.7 billion  of imports from Turkey to Kazakhstan. 
5.73.  Kazakhstan exports mainly oil, gas, ferrous and non-ferrous metals to Turkey. The structure 
of importation from Turkey to Kazakhstan is more diversified and includes machinery, equipment, textiles, products of plastic, chemicals and industrial products. 
5.74.  Turkish companies greatly contributed into the economic development of our country. More 
than 1700 Turkish companies are registered in Kazakhstan including around 1600 small 
enterprises, 50 medium-sized enterprises and 50 large companies. 
5.75.  During our last ten years, around US$2.1 billion were invested by Turkish companies into 
the economy of Kazakhstan. The flow of tariff in vestments from Kazakhstan to Turkey during the 
same period of time amounted to approximately US$1 billion. 
5.76.  In closing, I would like to emphasize again that Turkey is one of the most important 
partners of Kazakhstan and we are confident that there is further potential for the development of 
our mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation in the years to come. 
5.77.  Taking this opportunity as a recently acceded Member, we would also like to thank the 
Turkish Government once again for its continuous  support of the accession of Kazakhstan which 
made our accession at the end of last year possibl e. We look forward to continue our work with 
you within the Organization. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
6.1.  The sixth Trade Policy Review of Turkey has offered us an important opportunity to have a 
dialogue about the developments of the economic, trade, and investment policies of Turkey since 
the last Review in 2012, and the changes that have occurred during the interim period. Our 
discussion has benefited from the active participation of the Turkish delegation, headed by 
H.E. Mr. Hüsnü Dilemre, Deputy Undersecretary, Ministry of Economy, and by the insightful comments from the discussant, the Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the WTO, 
H.E. Ambassador Mariam MD Salleh. Turkey's time ly response to more than 500 advanced written 
questions has been greatly appreciated by Memb ers, and we look forward to answers to any 
outstanding questions no later than one month after this meeting. 
6.2.  Several delegates noted that, in many ways, Turkey is an important bridge, not just 
geographically between east to west and north to south but also, as a developing country member 
of the OECD, between developed and developing co untries. Turkey's position as the 17th largest 
economy in the world, a leading trading partner for many WTO Members, and as 7th biggest 
agricultural producer in the world all testify to its importance in the world economy and the WTO. 
6.3.  Members appreciated Turkey’s commitment to  the multilateral trading system and to trade 
liberalization. The prominent role it played in a number of economic fora, including its recent G20 
presidency was particularly commendable. Turkey's dedication to the system was demonstrated by 
its participation in the Doha negotiations, and in TiSA, EGA, and the expanded ITA. LDCs and other vulnerable economies particularly appreciated Turkey’s development assistance and implementation of duty-free-quota-free for leas t developed countries and other preferential 
arrangements. 
6.4.  Turkey was commended for its trade and GD P growth during the period despite structural 
vulnerabilities and the geo-political instability in the region. GDP growth fluctuated in recent years 
reflecting changes to capital inflows and contraction in agricultural output. Turkey was encouraged 
to continue addressing its significant current account deficit which remained a challenge. It was noted that Turkey’s economy is highly dependent on trade, a trend that intensified during the 
review period as exports and imports grew to the equivalent of 60% of GDP in 2014. However, 
many also noted that, while trade had increased, it was still below its potential for many of its trading partners, especially those that had free trade agreements with Turkey and neighboring 
countries, although it was also noted that this was partly due to the recent turmoil in the region. 
6.5.  Turkey’s "Vision 2023" was noted as an im portant policy initiative in which Turkey was 
working towards a number of ambitious goals rega rding the economy and trade to mark the 100th 
anniversary of the Turkish Republic. These in cluded: increasing GDP to over US$2 trillion, 
becoming one of the top ten countries in terms of nominal GDP, achieving an export volume of 
US$500 billion, and shifting production to higher valued added goods. 
6.6.  It was noted that transparency was of pa ramount importance to the functioning of the WTO 
and that Turkey has a mixed record of compliance with WTO notification obligations. In particular, 
the lack of notifications to the Committee on Agri culture on export subsidies and domestic support 
measures were mentioned as being outstanding for several years. Members urged Turkey to address all pending notifications to fulfil its WTO obligations. I note with satisfaction the statement 
of Deputy Undersecretary Dilemre that Turkey will present its notification on export subsidies to 
the Committee on Agriculture by its June meeting. 
6.7.  Members welcomed Turkey's most recent developments in facilitating trade at the border, 
including the single window application, the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and 
the "one-stop-shop" pilot project. In particular, Turkey announced this morning that it had submitted its ratification of the Trade Facilitati on Agreement on 16 March to the WTO Secretariat 
and it was particularly applauded. 
6.8.  On investment, it was recognized that FDI was an important contributor to Turkey’s economic 
development and that increased investment woul d support future prosperity. While Turkey has 
maintained a relatively open investment regime for most sectors, the continuation of restrictions in 
a number of important sectors prompted Members to enquire about further liberalization 
initiatives. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  6.9.  Members acknowledged the importance of agriculture to Turkey's economy and trade. 
However, there are a number of restrictive measures in the sector, including high tariffs, high domestic support levels, and other trade-distorting measures and several delegations encouraged reforms and called for an increase in transparency. Although SPS measures were gradually being 
aligned with the EU acquis, questions still remained on barriers to trade in certain subsectors, 
including live animals and adherence to international standards. In addition, several questions were raised about the role of marketing boards, in particular the Turkish Grain Board and its 
operations. 
6.10.  Tariffs were another area of significant interest by Members. Providing traders with a 
predictable and reliable tariff regime was compromised by the low level of tariff bindings (50%), and a relatively large gap between applied and bo und rates and Turkey was encouraged to bind 
more tariffs. Some Members also noted that applied rates exceeded the bound rates on 47 tariff 
lines, that tariff rates were particularly high on many goods, and the use of non- ad valorem  tariffs 
on some products were also a burden to exporters. Law No. 474 on the customs tariff schedule 
has also created an unpredictable situation for traders as it allowed the Government to increase 
tariff levels to provide adequate protection to domestic industries. 
6.11.  Members noted with some concern the frequent use of trade remedies, in particular because 
Turkey is one of the top ten WTO users of anti-dumping, and top three users of safeguard 
measures. The increased use of these measures, enforcement procedural issues, and aspects of the investigation process vis-à-vis WTO rules were also questioned. Thus some Members called upon Turkey to reduce the use of such measures or to terminate investigations where they had a 
particular trade interest. 
6.12.  Government procurement was an area that has undergone some reforms in recent years 
and Members called upon Turkey to become a party to the Government Procurement Agreement 
(GPA). With respect to intellectual property, Member s were appreciative of Turkey’s acceptance of 
the TRIPS Protocol. However, several requests were made for improvements in Turkey’s IPR 
system in terms of the data exclusivity period, gr anting of compulsory licenses, enforcement, and 
protection of undisclosed information. 
6.13.  The services sector continues to be an important sector in terms of economic growth, 
employment and trade. The sector accounted for over half the economy and 23% of gross exports 
in 2014 and Turkey has continued to liberalize the se ctor by including services in new and revised 
FTA agreements and by participating in the TiSA negotiations. Travel and tourism were noted as 
important service sectors for trade, and the growth of the tourism sector, including health tourism, was particularly impressive. 
6.14.  Members congratulated Turkey for the resilien ce of its economy, the stability it provides to 
the region, and also for its humanitarian actions. The sixth Trade Policy Review of Turkey was successfully concluded to the benefit of all Members. The large number of advance written 
questions submitted before the meeting and the 53 delegations that took the floor during the first 
day of discussions highlight the importance Memb ers attached to Turkey's trade and related 
policies and its role in the multilateral trading system. 
6.15.  In closing, I would like to thank Deputy Undersecretary Dilemre and the rest of the Turkish 
delegation, all the other delegations, the discussant and the Secretariat for the very positive and 
active contribution to the sixth Trade Policy Review of Turkey. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  7  ELECTION OF A NEW CHAIRPERSON FOR THE TPRB 
7.1.  As indicated in the order of the first day of this meeting, we now move to the election of the 
Chairperson for the TPRB for 2016. At its meeting on 24 February 2016, the General Council noted the consensus on the slate of names of Chairp ersons for WTO bodies, including the Permanent 
Representative of Hong Kong, China, Ms. Irene B. K. Young, as the Chairperson of the Trade Policy 
Review Body. 
7.2.  Under its rules of procedure, the Trade Policy Review Body is now invited to elect Ms. Young 
as the Chairperson for 2016. I would like to su ggest that Members of the TPRB confirm their 
support for her election with a round of applause. 
7.3.  It has been my pleasure and duty to have chaired the reviews of 25 Members through 
21 meetings of the TPRB as well as our meetings  to consider the Director-General's reports on 
trade policy developments, including the annual overview of developments in the international 
trading environment. I would like to thank delegates and all delegations, both those based in Geneva and those that came from capitals, for the constructive collaboration during all these 
meetings. The trade policy review process is a valuable exercise not only for WTO Members 
generally but especially for the Member under review and I wish the Permanent Representative of Hong Kong, China, Irene Young, every success in the work of this important WTO Body. 
7.4.  I sincerely thank everyone for their cooperat ion during the past year and I now hand over to 
Ms. Young. 
MS.
 IRENE  YOUNG 
7.5.  Thank you all very much for entrusting me with this responsibility. It is a responsibility that I 
do not take lightly and I know very well that it is going to be a very demanding job. But I am lucky 
to have my predecessor, Ambassador Paparizov, to help me. So, while we still have him with us on the podium, I take this opportunity to thank you not only for the advices you have given me but 
also for the good work that you have done for the TPRB. 
7.6.  Watching you chairing the TPRB meetings an d learning from your excellent example, I know I 
really have big shoes to fill. Actually, when I said this was a demanding job it was not an 
understatement. This year, we have two dozen TPRs meaning some 50 days of meeting to go 
through, not to mention all the preparatory and follow-up work that goes with it. And this is on top of the regular trade monitoring work that we have to do in parallel. Are all the delegates ready for that? Well, I am and I am also ready to give my best to this particular area of WTO work that I 
really like. 
7.7.  I like the TPR Mechanism because it is very useful. It provides information, promotes 
transparency, stimulates reflection and encourages  improvement. It is such a powerful tool and 
has so much to offer that I think that we will be doing ourselves a disservice if we do not make the 
best use of it. And it is also special in the sense that none of us can just sit back and say I am just an onlooker and let other people do the business. We cannot do that because, at some point, we 
will all be the Member under review, at other times we will be asking questions and making 
comments from the floor, and some of us will also contribute as discussants. So, in one way or another, we are all active participants, like it or not we all have a stake in this. 
7.8.  It is only in our common interest to energize the process and make each Review and each 
meeting a constructive and rewarding experience. I know I am speaking to an audience that has 
just gone through two days of intensive meeting and I know how tiring it is because I have been sitting in this room over there with all of view throughout.  
7.9.  I will not stand any longer between you and your well-deserved break but I only wish to 
leave you with one sort. I think the TPRB is a joint venture of 162 WTO Members. How much we gain from it depends on how much we are prepared to invest in it, individually and collectively. As 
stakeholders you can make the difference and it is only you who can make the difference. Think 
about that. WT/TPR/W/101 • Turkey 
 
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  UNITED  STATES 
7.10.  I apologize for taking the floor again but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to offer 
expression of the United States' thanks to Ambassador Paparizov for his exemplary service to the membership leading the TPRB over the past year, not least for consistently starting the meetings 
on time, as well as, of course, maintaining a high level of engagement and make this process so 
valuable.  
7.11.  As well, I would like to welcome our new Chair and the inspiring words that you have just 
made. We look forward to a very active year in the TPRB. 
CHINA 7.12.  China would like to join others to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent hard 
work that Ambassador Paparizov has done in the past year. And we would also like to take this 
opportunity to welcome Irene Young as the new Chairwoman. We are confident of your leadership 
and please be assured that you have full support from China. We look forward to work closely with you in the coming year. 
TURKEY 
7.13.  I would like to congratulate you, Irene, for this very important job in the WTO and I am 
sure that with your able conduct and with your experience you will make the TPR exercise a joy for 
all countries.  
7.14.  I also thank and wish all the best for Ambassador Paparizov. His last chairmanship coincided 
with our TPR exercise. We thank him for his able conduct of the TPR meeting. As our American colleague said, all this in time and we very much appreciate that. Thank you and all the best. 
RUSSIAN
 FEDERATION 
7.15.  Since the floor seems to be open, let me join my colleagues in extending words of 
appreciation and gratitude to Ambassador Paparizov for his wise guidance throughout this year 
and his highly personal contribution to this proc ess. Special thanks for his multilingual skills and 
from the Russian delegation for his fluent Russian by the way. We would like to wish you all the best in your future. 
7.16.  We would like, of course, to welcome the new Chair of the TPR Body, Ms. Young. This year 
is going to be a special one for Russia since we are preparing for our third Trade Policy Review in September and we are pleased and honoured to undergo this test under your leadership. We wish you all the best as well and you may count on our full support. 
MS.
 IRENE  YOUNG 
If no other delegations wish to take the floor may I invite all of you to give a big hand to the 
outgoing Chairman and thank him for the excellent work that he has done for our TPRB. Thank 
you. The meeting is adjourned. 
__________