Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

EXCLUSIVE North regime blocking TC exports through legal ports

By Menelaos Hadjicostis

The occupation regime is blocking Turkish Cypriot businessmen from exporting their goods abroad through government-controlled ports, ruining deals worth thousands of pounds.

The Cyprus Weekly has obtained confidential information showing that the illegal regime is using intimidation tactics to force Turkish Cypriot businessmen into cancelling lucrative export deals.

One specific case that occurred last month involved a Turkish Cypriot citrus producer who wanted to export 20 tonnes of ‘Valencia’ variety oranges to Denmark.

In order to package his fruit for export through Limassol port, the Turkish Cypriot citrus producer ordered a consignment of 1,500 large cardboard boxes from a Limassol-based company.

The paperwork was signed and the boxes were set to be delivered to the producer’s headquarters in the north on March 28.

But the Turkish Cypriot producer notified the Greek Cypriot cardboard box maker hours before delivery to halt the deal, citing "serious problems".



Blatant

The Turkish Cypriot producer didn’t elaborate what those problems were, but official sources said this was the result of blatant interference by illegal regime officials who wanted to block the transaction.

Officials said the deal was worth "thousands of pounds". The Turkish Cypriot businessman asked the cardboard box maker to keep the boxes he already paid for in storage.

The Cyprus Weekly is withholding the names of both the Turkish Cypriot citrus producer and the Greek Cypriot cardboard manufacturer because of the sensitivity of the matter.

This action offers proof that the illegal regime is actively impeding exports of Turkish Cypriot goods through government-controlled ports to cover up what appears to be a groundswell of interest among Turkish Cypriots to do business abroad through legal avenues.

EU-sanctioned Green Line Trade regulations allow Turkish Cypriots to export their goods only through government-controlled ports.

The regulations are designed to afford Turkish Cypriots the opportunity to trade with the world since sea and airports in the north have been declared closed to international traffic in the wake of the 1974 Turkish invasion.

More and more Turkish Cypriots appear to be seizing the opportunity, but the illegal regime appears to be halting such exports because it would belie persistent claims that the north continues to languish under Nicosia-imposed, ‘suffocating embargoes’.



Status

The illegal regime has long hankering for direct trade with the EU and beyond as just reward for approving the UN settlement blueprint in separate referendums in April, 2004.

Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected the Annan plan amid strong it would grant Turkey lordship over the whole island.

But Nicosia opposes direct trade for fear it would bestow the illegal regime with such a political status-boost that it would eliminate any incentive for Turkish Cypriots to negotiate a fresh reunification deal.

Moreover, growing Turkish Cypriot interest to do business through the government-controlled areas would undercut any argument the illegal regime would throw up that the Green Line measures aren’t enough to break Turkish Cypriot ‘isolation’.

Not only has the illegal regime blocked Turkish Cypriot exports, it’s also stopping Greek Cypriot companies from doing business in the north.

The Cyprus Weekly has learned of at least 11 instances where Greek Cypriot products were stopped from being shipped to Turkish Cypriot customers in the north.

They include 51 containers of watermelon plants, 67 cartons of flowers, six containers of whiskey, 16 Bosch water boilers, 116 kilos of roasted nuts, one air compressor, one bathtub, five containers of tiles and 59 bags of plaster.

The total value of the goods is at least Θ1,900.

[andri_cy]

WOW!Why would they be doing that to their own people. Scary.... They are just trying to make a better way of life for themselves.

[stuballstu]

Sotos

That article sounds so ridiculous that it is believable. Who would believe that this would happen in this day and age? Shame on them.

Last year i visited a car dealer in the ROC and wanted to buy some new cars off him for export. Everything was agreed money, terms, schedules etc etc then out of the blue he said he couldnt do it as he knew i was going to sell them to Turkish Cypriots he was under pressure from the government not to do the deal. He wanted to do it but felt under pressure from the government not to. I have no couobt that the same pressures exist on both sides of the Green Line.

On a more positive note i read over the weekend on a Northern newspaper website the following article

"Companies from North and South Cyprus are getting together to form a citrus fruit marketing and export business at the border village of Bostanci. Sedigep Cooperative from South Cyprus and Doganci Cooperative from the North will employ mainly Turkish Cypriots. The new venture will be 50% owned by each cooperative. the head of the Lefke-Guzelyurt Citrus Producers Union, Sami Dayioglu said:"We are not politicians, we do not do politics - business is important for us."

Something positive at last, although i have yet to read any mention of this from any south based newspapers.

[Agios Amvrosios]

The Occupation regime is obviously frustrating trade via the Free ports to prevent the watering down of their ambitions to trade directly as an independant country.

The occupation regime's arguments about direct trade will be very quickly watered down if business people from the occupied areas trade via the legitimate Cypriot government.

[stuballstu]

Agios

I agree with you however there is a huge problem when trying to get goods over the checkpoints. It is so difficult. GC will refused to pick goods up in the North and take them to Limassol, TC hauliers refuse to take them accross. End up going around in circles.

Another factor is that if the ROC government allow exports then they would have to allow imports to. Who collects the import duties?

It is so problematic, although if someone in government took the bull by the horns and and made a workable solution it would perhaps make it easier for both TC's and GC's to do business together.

The Cypriots who have got together to start the citrus co operative should be applauded. Who knows that could be the start of something new.