The video conference on combating COVID-19 pandemic was held at the initiative of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI)

On April 7, 2020, at the initiative of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), a video conference on combating the COVID-19 pandemic was held with the participation of the chamber’s member bodies, including the leadership of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The conference was attended by ASK President Mammad Musayev, President of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry and TOBB Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Secretary General of the Turkic Council Ambassador Bagdat Amreyev, Secretary General of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry Adem Kula, Chairman of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan Ablay Mirzahmedov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CCIU) Mr. Adham Ikramov, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic Ms. Rima Apasova, Deputy Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) Andreas Rev and other officials.

During the video conference, the largest business organizations of the Turkic Council (TC) member states made a separate presentation on a set of effective measures taken in these countries to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. President of the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation – Mammad Musayev noted that the multifaceted measures taken in Azerbaijan to prevent COVID-19 are always in the focus of President Ilham Aliyev. As always, the head of state pays special attention to ensuring the health of the population in these difficult days. According to the President’s instructions, the relevant government agencies were mobilized in a short period of time to strengthen measures to combat the global pandemic in the country.

At the same time, the new economic and social package was discussed, and aims to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic on the country’s economy, macroeconomic stability, employment and business entities, the government focused on the problems of people working in affected areas. At least 2.5 billion manat has been allocated in Azerbaijan to ensure economic stability, solve employment problems and maintain macroeconomic and financial stability. It was decided to finance 600,000 workers and individual entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan at the expense of the state, and a significant part of their salaries was covered by the state. This large-scale economic and social package will have a positive impact on the growing dynamics in the economic sphere, as well as protect vulnerable citizens from this crisis.

In the member states of the Turkic Council, the role of chambers and confederations was reported that the private sector, especially the health sector, in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. At present, the need for regular use of remote digital platforms have been highlighted for the exchange of experience. The members of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry work together to develop a package of proposals and recommendations for relevant governments to prepare the influence to the population, national economies and enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, it was discussed to ensure the uninterrupted trade relations between the member countries through open transport lines, to take joint preventive measures to ensure sustainable food security in the member countries. They also stressed the importance of exchanging experiences on measures for the post-pandemic period in order to strengthen the sectors most affected by the economy, including tourism, logistics, services, small and medium enterprises. In the post-pandemic period, the special importance of support from financial institutions for stabilization and increasing export potential for businesses in the Turkic Council countries was discussed. The participants were interested in the existence of support mechanisms by Eximbank in the Republic of Hungary, not only for Hungarian businessmen, but also for businesses in the member states of the Turkish Council. In this regard, it was agreed to organize joint business trips to the Republic of Hungary and the Republic of South Korea and relevant forums organized by the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the post-pandemic period.

The steps taken to grant international legal status and relevant processes were discussed with the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

At the end of the video conference, other promising areas of cooperation between the member organizations were discussed, and the need for member organizations to formulate appropriate proposals and submit them as soon as possible in connection with the forthcoming Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the Turkic Council.