The measure currently affects the export of machines such as ventilators and disinfectants such as ethanol, but it will soon be extended to protective equipment such as masks.
Turkey has lifted restrictions on the export of medical supplies used to combat the coronavirus since last March: a move that could help alleviate the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies and medical equipment to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic that exists in other countries, especially in Europe.
According to a decree published on May 2 in the Official Gazette of the Republic, the Turkish Ministry of Commerce has lifted restrictions on the sale and export abroad of ventilators, intubators and disinfectants such as ethanol. Until now the export to other countries of these materials was prohibited except in some cases where it was authorised by the Turkish government.
“These restrictions were temporarily put into effect in response to the pandemic. The decision to allow export reflects… Turkey’s growing ability to contain the coronavirus,” sources close to the Turkish presidency told reporters.
The end of the restrictions also represents an opportunity for Turkish companies engaged in the manufacture of these products, since since the start of the pandemic they have significantly increased their production capacity, while there are still many countries trying to obtain material and equipment, either for being in the early stages of the pandemic or for fear of a second wave of the coronavirus.
No problems in supplying respirators or masks in Turkey
In Turkey, however, there have been no problems in obtaining ventilators or masks; although the latter cannot yet be exported, the businessmen of the sector believe that very soon it will also be possible to sell them to other countries.
“Production and export companies have been working tirelessly to meet the needs of our country first of all. On the other hand, we have not suspended exports despite the problems,” said Adil Pelister, president of the Association of Exporters of Chemicals and Chemical Products of Istanbul (İKMİB): he also believes that soon it will be possible in Turkey to export medical supplies such as face masks to other countries.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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