TUYAD Visits Profen: Strong Sectoral Representation in the 48th Committee

TUYAD President Hayrettin Özaydın recently visited Mr. Önder Havuzlu, TUYAD Board Member and Chairman of the Board & CEO of Profen, at Profen’s headquarters.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the representation of the sector within the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) and the ongoing preparations for the upcoming ISO elections.

Profen, which currently represents the telecommunications and satellite sector in the 48th Committee of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, continues to play an active role in representing the industry. Ahead of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry elections to be held on October 26, 2026, at the Haliç Congress Center, efforts are being carried out under the umbrella of TUYAD and under the leadership of Profen to establish a strong and effective group representing nearly 40 companies within the 48th Committee.

Emphasizing Profen’s significant contributions to Türkiye’s technological and engineering development, TUYAD President Hayrettin Özaydın expressed his pride in the company’s achievements and its valuable contributions to the industry.

Özaydın also thanked Mr. Önder Havuzlu, Chairman of the Board & CEO of Profen, for his valuable contributions and successful efforts, and wished Profen continued success in the years ahead.

As TUYAD, we will continue our efforts to ensure strong, effective, and qualified representation of our sector across different platforms.

Increasing the Use of The Turkish Lira in Exports: A Strong Economy, A Strong Türkiye

In today’s rapidly evolving global trading environment, marked by increasing geopolitical risks and financial volatility, the greater use of national currencies in international trade has become a strategic necessity for many countries. From Türkiye’s perspective, expanding the use of the Turkish Lira (TRY) in exports and foreign trade is far more than a change in payment methods; it is a strategic policy instrument that strengthens economic sovereignty, enhances financial stability, and supports sustainable, production-driven economic development.

The fact that the majority of international trade transactions are conducted in foreign currencies exposes both exporters and importers to significant exchange rate risks and cost pressures. Expanding the use of the Turkish Lira (TRY) in trade would help businesses mitigate currency risk, improve the predictability of cost calculations, and enable more effective financial planning. This would be particularly advantageous for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enhancing the competitiveness of exporting firms in international markets.

The wider adoption of the Turkish Lira (TRY) in international trade would also help reduce Türkiye’s demand for foreign currencies, thereby easing exchange rate pressures in financial markets. Lower pressure on foreign exchange reserves would contribute to greater macroeconomic stability while enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy. Furthermore, increased international confidence in the Turkish Lira as a trade settlement currency would strengthen Türkiye’s financial credibility and reinforce its standing in the global financial system.

The increasing use of local currencies in regional trade would enable Türkiye to establish more balanced, resilient, and sustainable economic relationships with its trading partners. In particular, encouraging the use of the Turkish Lira (TRY) in bilateral trade agreements with neighboring and regional countries would not only expand trade volumes but also foster deeper economic cooperation and long-term strategic partnerships.

The broader use of the Turkish Lira (TRY) in international trade also offers significant advantages for strengthening industrial production, increasing exports of high value-added products, and achieving Türkiye’s technological transformation objectives. Key industries—including defense, electronics, telecommunications, space technologies, and other advanced manufacturing sectors—would benefit from more predictable financial conditions for long-term investment planning. As a result, investments in research and development (R&D), innovation, and technological advancement would accelerate, further enhancing these sectors’ competitiveness in global markets.

For Türkiye’s vision of production-, technology-, and export-driven growth to succeed, it is essential that the country’s financial infrastructure effectively supports these strategic objectives. Expanding the use of the Turkish Lira (TRY) in foreign trade represents a strategic initiative that strengthens economic sovereignty, supports a healthier current account balance, enhances financial stability, and reinforces Türkiye’s position in global trade. The successful implementation of this transformation will depend on close collaboration among public institutions, the financial sector, exporters, and industrial organizations, working together toward a common objective.

As TUYAD (Telecommunications, Space, Defense and Electronics Industries Association), we regard supporting structural reforms and economic transformation initiatives that strengthen Türkiye’s manufacturing capabilities, technological expertise, and export capacity as one of our core responsibilities. We consider efforts to expand the use of the Turkish Lira (TRY) in foreign trade to be a strategic initiative that will enhance the competitiveness of our industries, strengthen the financial sustainability of our exporters, and contribute to the long-term growth of the Turkish economy on a stronger and more resilient foundation.

As it has throughout its history, TUYAD will continue to firmly support all initiatives that promote Türkiye’s economy, domestic manufacturing, high technology, and the international competitiveness of our industrial sectors. We remain committed to contributing to policies and initiatives that reinforce Türkiye’s position as a globally competitive, innovation-driven manufacturing economy.

MANUFACTURERS WANT TO PRODUCE BUT CANNOT ACCESS FINANCING

TUYAD Chairman of the Board Hayrettin Özaydın stated that manufacturers, who form the backbone of production and employment in Türkiye, are facing some of the most challenging financing conditions in recent years. He emphasized that urgent support mechanisms must be introduced to ensure the sustainability of industrial production.

Özaydın noted that claims suggesting manufacturers sell their products on a cash basis to retailers, dealers, wholesalers, and distributors do not reflect the realities of the market. He explained that commercial activity is built upon deferred payments, open accounts, consignment sales, and commercial credit. In contrast, manufacturers are often required to purchase raw materials in advance before production can begin. As a result, they are forced to rely on bank financing at extremely high interest rates. Even when they are willing to accept these costs, access to credit remains difficult due to banks’ strict collateral requirements, including mortgages, assignments of receivables, guarantees, and similar security conditions.

Highlighting the growing burden of fuel, energy, labor, social security contributions, taxes, financing expenses, and raw material procurement, Özaydın stated that these factors continue to drive production costs upward, making it increasingly difficult for manufacturers to sustain their operations.

Recalling that approximately 15,000 companies have filed for concordat and withdrawn from production over the past five years, Özaydın stressed that the impact extends far beyond the affected businesses themselves. Through a multiplier effect, suppliers, subcontractors, logistics companies, raw material producers, distributors, dealers, and small businesses are also negatively affected. He noted that a single concordat process may economically impact an average of 150 companies, while placing the jobs of thousands of employees at risk.

Özaydın emphasized that filing for concordat is never a manufacturer’s first choice, but rather a last resort to keep production alive. Under the current economic conditions, he observed that many manufacturers are beginning to view closing their factories and placing their capital in high-interest financial investments as a safer alternative than continuing production. According to Özaydın, an economic structure that penalizes production while rewarding financial investments poses a serious threat to Türkiye’s industrial future.

Calling on the government to take immediate action, TUYAD Chairman Hayrettin Özaydın urged policymakers to facilitate manufacturers’ access to affordable working capital loans, reduce interest rates on production financing to reasonable levels, restructure collateral and guarantee requirements in favor of producers, and implement urgent economic measures to protect production, investment, exports, and employment.

Özaydın concluded by stating that a strong Turkish economy can only be built on a strong manufacturing base. Supporting manufacturers, he said, is essential for sustaining production, protecting employment, expanding exports, and strengthening the national economy. He added that this appeal is made not only on behalf of manufacturers, but also for all stakeholders throughout the production chain and for the future of Türkiye’s economy.

On behalf of the TUYAD Board of Directors

Hayrettin Özaydın
Chairman of the Board

The Hidden Cost of Access to Technology: The TRT Bandrol Fee Should Be Reassessed

Today, products such as televisions, satellite receivers, set-top boxes, tablets, computers, and smartphones are no longer merely electronic devices. They have become essential tools for accessing information, education, news, digital broadcasting services, reliable communication during emergencies, and household connectivity infrastructure. As access to technology becomes increasingly important, the cost structure imposed on these products should be re-evaluated from the perspectives of public benefit, sustainable production, and consumer accessibility.

The TRT bandrol fee is a public revenue mechanism applied to certain devices under the relevant legislation. Under the current system, manufacturers and importers of devices subject to the bandrol fee are considered liable parties. The fee is calculated based on the VAT assessment base excluding SCT (Special Consumption Tax): for imported products, on the Customs Entry Declaration value, and for domestically manufactured products, on the sales invoice value.

Under the current framework, TRT bandrol fees are applied at a rate of 16% on televisions and 12% on satellite receivers, set-top media boxes, and TV tuner cards. As a result, the fee automatically increases as the taxable value of the product rises.

For manufacturers, producers, and importers, several key challenges stand out:

* The system creates a need for upfront financing during production and import processes.
* Guarantee, declaration, payment, and monitoring requirements generate additional administrative burdens.
* The percentage-based calculation model creates variable and often unpredictable costs linked directly to product value.
* Competitive imbalances may arise between companies that fully comply with bandrol obligations and those that market products without bandrol compliance or with incomplete declarations.

This situation affects not only the cost structures of businesses but also the protection of legitimate trade and consumers’ access to safe and reliable products. Our sector’s position is clear: public revenues must be preserved. However, the method of collection should not create excessive financial pressure on compliant businesses, hinder production, or weaken fair competition. Therefore, a new perspective on the TRT bandrol system is needed.

First, a fixed-fee model based on product categories should be considered instead of the current percentage-based calculation. A fixed tariff could provide greater cost predictability for businesses while offering a simpler and more transparent collection mechanism for public authorities.

Second, alternative collection methods that reduce the upfront financing burden on manufacturers and importers should be examined. In various countries, public broadcasting contributions are collected through household fees, user-based payments, periodic contributions, or general taxation systems. Türkiye may also evaluate models that protect public revenues without imposing additional financial burdens on producers.

Third, bandrol compliance controls should be strengthened not only during manufacturing and import stages but also throughout sales channels. Retail stores, online sales platforms, and marketplaces should become integral parts of the compliance and monitoring chain. Such an approach would help protect compliant businesses while contributing to the fight against unregistered and undocumented sales.

**At the sector evaluation meeting organized by TUYAD on May 21, leading manufacturers and industry representatives from Türkiye came together to assess the current implementation of the TRT bandrol system, its impact on the industry, and potential solutions through a collaborative approach. The recommendations presented in this statement reflect not only the position of our association but also the shared views and assessments of the participating companies and sector representatives. TUYAD remains committed to advancing this initiative by informing relevant public institutions, conveying industry opinions to government authorities, and maintaining the necessary dialogue to ensure that the issue is placed on the agenda of the relevant ministries.**

A new balance in the TRT bandrol system should simultaneously aim to protect public broadcasting revenues, distribute obligations more fairly among manufacturers and importers, strengthen legitimate trade, and ensure consumers’ access to reliable products.

Türkiye’s electronics, satellite, and broadcasting technology sector continues to produce, innovate, create employment, and contribute to the country’s digital transformation. To ensure the sustainability of these contributions, the financial and administrative burdens placed on the sector must be reassessed in line with the realities of the modern era.

TUYAD
Telecommunications, Satellite and Electronics Industrialists and Business People Association

#NewBalanceInTRTBandrol
#StrongProductionStrongTürkiye
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TUYAD TAKES ITS PLACE AT BROADCAST FAIR | OCTOBER 22–25