Flash Call from TESK President Palandoken: "8 Million Scrap Vehicles Should Be Recovered to the Economy, Incentive Law Should Be Issued Urgently"

ANKARA - Bendevi Palandöken, President of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), drew attention to the economic and environmental problems in Turkey and said that the scrap vehicle incentive law should be re-enacted urgently. Palandöken stated that over 8 million old vehicles in traffic cause great harm to both nature and human health and emphasized that concrete steps should be taken to bring these vehicles into the economy.

Scrap Incentive Proposal Against High Inflation

Palandöken stated in a statement that the reintroduction of the scrap vehicle law is of great importance in combating high inflation and revitalizing the markets. Stating that approximately 8 million of the total 32 million 600 thousand vehicles in Turkey are over 20 years old and that these vehicles should be urgently withdrawn from traffic, Palandöken said, "Considering the difficulties these vehicles cause to the economy, nature and people, it becomes clear that such a regulation is completely necessary."

Reduce Scrap Imports, Increase Domestic Production

TESK President, reminding that Turkey imports 20 million tons of scrap every year, said that the scrap incentive law will reverse this situation. Stating that the last scrap incentive law implemented in 2018 covered 7.7 million vehicles, Palandöken said that a new law will both reduce environmental pollution and provide economic benefits to the country. "Reducing the scrap we import and bringing the vehicles waiting for scrap in our country to the economy will reveal a more profitable picture," Palandöken said, emphasizing that in this way, factories will produce more, domestic production and imports will contribute to employment.

"Citizens should be supported with attractive loans"

Palandöken stated that the scrap incentive law alone will not be enough, attractive loan alternatives should also be offered for citizens to renew their vehicles. Calling for keeping interest rates low, Palandöken stated that in this way, new vehicle purchases will revitalize the economy.

Finally, Palandöken also touched upon the high parts costs of old vehicles, adding that new and safer vehicles will reduce accidents in traffic and contribute indirectly to the fight against inflation by reducing fuel consumption.