A Tourism and Economy Workshop is being held under the auspices of the TRNC Presidency.

The workshop is being held today with the participation of President Ersin Tatar and First Lady Sibel Tatar, under the auspices of the TRNC Presidency and with the contributions of the Economic Organizations Platform and Halk Bank.

The workshop, which is taking place at the Acapulco Resort Hotel, started with opening speeches delivered by President Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri, the Minister of Finance Alişan Şan and the Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu.

Speaking first, the Minister of Finance Alişan Şan highlighted the importance of sustainable policies in the field of health and economy in light of the current crisis being experienced due to the pandemic and conflict in Europe.

Şan drew attention to the need to introduce austerity measures and to raise efficiency in public expenditures.

The Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu in his speech said that much work was needed to reach post-pandemic levels in the economy.

He also underlined the need to draft and pass legislation that will allow new energy policies.

The Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başceri for his part said that the Republic of Türkiye always supported the self-sustainability of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as well as reforms in various sectors.

Başçeri said that he believed the workshop will provide an important guide on the steps that need to be taken to get the wheels of the economy moving again.

Speaking next, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel reminded that tourism and higher education were the locomotive sectors of the TRNC economy and that more was needed to support and develop these sectors.

Drawing attention to the problems being experienced in the field of energy, Üstel said that urgent steps were needed to address this issue which was vital for tourism and industry.

President Ersin Tatar who delivered the final opening speech said that the workshop will provide an ideal opportunity to discuss and identify the key issues in the economy which need to be tackled.

He said that despite the various shortcomings, the country’s tourism sector had made important strides.

Tatar pointed out that the Maraş initiative itself had contributed greatly to the country’s economy.