Laleli district of Istanbul has become a major 'shuttle trade' centre of Turkey, where the individuals literally transport goods in their luggage to destination countries.
Recognizing this problem, Bulgaria has finally banned products from neighbouring Laleli across the border, to enter the country markets.
Laleli Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (LASIAD) Head, Ayhan Karahan, confirmed that the Bulgarian authorities had been informing the Turkish government about this unofficial trade for a while now.
However, receiving no appropriate response, Bulgaria was forced to take this harsh step.
The estimated annual loss for Turkey will be around US $4 billion, including exports to Russia and some 20 European countries that pass through Bulgaria.
From now on, Bulgarian officials will reportedly only accept special invoices issued by their Finance Ministry or verbal declaration forms from the Kapikule and Dereköy border crossings.
Karahan also told the media,"We've been in contact with Turkish and Bulgarian customs officials for the past one-and-a-half years on this matter. They could have given us a deadline during negotiations. We were not informed and caught unawares. The ban was applied all of a sudden."
He also explained,"We want to transport our existing orders. Our customers stopped ordering when their goods weren't delivered. We're afraid China will step in and fill the gap. The Finance Ministry, foreign trade and customs directorates should immediately take action".
Fibre2fashion, News Desk - Turkey
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