A comprehensive meeting was held on Monday at the Gazimağusa Free Port regarding the necessary short, medium, and long-term planning for the TRNC’s largest commercial port.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel who chaired the meeting said that all necessary work to resolve the issues at Gazimağusa Free Port was being carried out.
“Our country’s economy relies on our ports, which are vital for the development of our economy. As our ports operate in an organized and systematic manner, they will make a significant contribution to our national economy. The reason for today’s meeting is to discuss what needs to be done to address the problems at Gazimağusa Port and find solutions. We are aware of the fact that the issues have been ongoing for a long time, and as the government, we are committed to resolving these problems as soon as possible.”
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Özdemir Berova, Economy and Energy Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu, Gazimağusa Mayor Süleyman Uluçay, Prime Ministry Undersecretary for State Planning Organisation (DPÖ) Durali Güçlüsoy, Gazimağusa District Governor Özden Keser, Free Port and Zone Director Hasan Curcioğlu, the Customs and Excise Department Director Veysi Bozcan, Pilot and Port Captain Kemal Yapıcı, Free Port and Zone Management Board Chairman Mustafa Borataş, Agents Association Chairman Vargın Varer, Shipowners Association Chairman Yıltan Özkıraç, Carriers Association Chairman Hasan Dörtgazi, Customs and Excise Department Gazimağusa Branch Manager Güzide Güney Fegan, and Cyprus Turkish Port Workers Company President Serhan Tekkan.
During the meeting, various topics were discussed, including port security, the construction of new entry gates, the procurement of security cameras and x-ray devices, planning how the quay areas should be used due to heavy cargo traffic, a project to supply water to the entire port and the installation of water valves for fire prevention, the establishment of a truck parking area, and potential solutions to address the issues faced by workers.
It was decided to hold another meeting as soon as possible to manage the port, with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Port Authority, Free Port Directorate, Customs Department, and the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, as well as relevant undersecretaries and directors from the Ministry of Economy and Energy.
The goal of this upcoming meeting is to enhance inter-agency coordination and collaboration, find solutions to the problems, and reconvene on Friday, September 8, with the participation of all stakeholder units under the chairmanship of Prime Ministry Undersecretary Durali Güçlüsoy.