Miller Magazine Issue: 151 July 2022

93 INTERVIEW MILLER / JULY 2022 flour export for years. And the Iraqi market ranks first in Tur- key's flour export by far. The fact that Russia and Ukraine, two important actors of the world grain trade, are in a war that is expected to last for a long time, continues to create serious uncertainties in the grain supply and commodity pric- es. Moreover, it is obvious that the economic conditions in Turkey are also forcing us day by day with uncertainties due to this environment of global anxiety and insecurity. In this period, the Turkish flour industry is facing a tough test in order to prove its strength, sustainability and the per- manence of its brands in the markets it has rightfully acquired with hard work, diligence, capital and production power. Your company exports almost all of its flour production to Iraq. However, in recent years, Iraq has been establish- ing mills to meet its flour needs. Does this development worry you and Turkish flour industrialists? What measures do you intend to take in this regard? It is quite natural for local industrialists to invest to ensure their own country's supply. However, considering the annual consumption amount of the product, the variety of quality and the size of the market, it will take a long time for new local investors to gain a foothold in the market and to meet all the supply needs of the market and threaten the existence of our brands. In addition, as in every industry, the management and ad- ministration of profit points and supply chains in a secure and sustainable customs regime and reciprocity will be the most important factor here. Our country's industrialists are ready for this competition with their logistics advantages and ex- isting connections and experiences at global supply points. In our country, institutions representing the public and pri- vate sectors have a culture and mechanisms to develop a protective strategy for our important markets by working to- gether in coordination and within the framework of a plan. At this point, I think that with the cooperation of the public and private sectors, Iraqi and Turkish industrialists will reach a balance within a fair and reasonable competition in the flour trade. You are also the general secretary of the Turkish Flour Industrialists' Federation (TFIF). While wheat markets are going through a difficult period, you took responsibility for the sector and took part in the management of TFIF. What are your priorities and goals in TFIF? Our priority is to bring the unity and solidarity of our in- dustry, the culture and tradition of joint decision-making and strategy production to a new level. We want to operate as a clear communication channel that will determine the real needs and demands of the sector with the relevant public institutions in consensus. We want to be the voice of an ef- ficient communication mechanism that can produce perma- nent solutions. We aim to transform TFIF into a sector power that can produce solutions to the demands and needs of stakeholders. In order to maintain our leading position in the world flour export, we want to keep all the necessary dynamics up to date with vigorous and rational communication, to renew our strength in existing markets, and to be active and effective in new markets. By increasing our export figures, we plan