The exploitation of Piraeus from COSCO is of particular concern to Turkey. Turkish businessmen are worried that Chinese products will reach Europe via Greece. The Chinese plans to build a transit center in Piraeus where Chinese products will be transported in Europe, which is causing concern to many Turkish export companies. The strong competition from Asia not only worries business logistics of Bosporus but also the clothing industry. Approximately 50% of the European imports of textile products come from China and 8% from Turkey. The Turkish textile industry feels threatened by the prospect of Chinese companies operating in Piraeus port. The president of the Association of Textile of Istanbul Hikmet Tanrivernti said to the Deutche Welle: “It is a problem for us when someone decides to promote the massive importation. If for example almost ready clothing would be moved there, the companies pay low taxes and then the production is finished with some simple moves, then we would have a big problem. We are also concerned if the label of made in changes.”
Turkey’s importance is reduced:
The expert on Chinese issues Seljuk Tsolakoglou, is concerned on the development in port of Piraeus: “For Turkey it is an advantage the ability to quickly produce small quantities. The fact is that now our country is losing the advantage of proximity to Europe with the operation of Piraeus with the Chinesse. Seljuk Tsolakoglou fears that the Chinese will simply store their products in Piraeus.” For the Chinese, the Turkish proposal should have a comparative advantage. There was such an alternative sea passage from which Chinese goods pass through Turkey to markets around Europe, North Africa, Russia and the Middle East.
Turkish experts have expressed disappointment that the trade agreement for the operation in Piraeus will diminish the importance of Turkey as a staging post for Chinese goods.
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