Why was the customs exemption reduced, and what will change?

Today, on my program on Medyascope,I discussed with Balıkesir independent MP Burak Dalgın thePresidential Decree issued based on Article 167 ofCustoms Law No. 4458, whichconcerns the framework for postal andWe discussed thelowering of thecustoms dutyexemptionlimitfor goodsarriving via express cargo.The starting point was clear: Should this limit be 150 Euros, as it was during the period when Mehmet Şimşektook officefor the secondtime?The issue seems technical,

but inreality, itis about Turkey.It touches upon a recurring reflex in Turkey. By restricting imports, it protected production and R&Dthinking it did, but in the endit is a reflex that producesno structural benefit. The conclusion we reached together in the programis thatout: Such barriers neither contribute to production nor do they encourage R&D.

Turkey has seen this movie before. The protectionist mechanisms that began in the automotive sector in the 1970s were theoretically designed to "grow domestic industry"In practice, however, it did not produce any lasting industrial success, other than the enrichment of a specific group. In the 2000s,a similar storywas writtenfor mobile phones. It was claimed that we are protecting the domestic manufacturer. In the end, neither a strong domestic brandemerged, nor did any technology transfer occur. The winners were, once again,the distributors.

That is why Burak Dalgın's observation is extremely accurate: This barrier, rather than closing the current account deficit, will greatly increase the state's burden. It is not possible to disagree. Because every intervention that disrupts the natural flow of the market ultimately produces more oversight, more bureaucracy, and higher costs.

The second important headline of the program is the social media ban for those under 16.was. The point that Burak Dalgın highlightedhere was very important: It is not right to index everything to the state. Families also need to take responsibility. I alsoagreewith this view.

TIn Turkey, children are not the children of the state.They are the children of the people. They are the children of families.Therefore, the issue of protecting children cannot be addressed solely through laws and prohibitions.This is a societal responsibility. We must look at the broader picture.The protection of children requires a comprehensive approach. reading through, means missing the true dynamics of society. First the family, then the school, and finally the state should come. When thisorder is disrupted, theresultis usually not good.

My take on thisI have one more objection regarding the headline. Social media is no longer as central an issue as it once was. I do not think that putting so much pressure on it or drawing so much attention to itis very meaningful.Duringthe yearsI worked as a consultant,I managed the Twitter accountsof many politicians in Turkey.I had a directrole in itsopening. At the point we havereached today,I can clearlystate this: Whether someone hasa Twitter account or not is now almostirrelevant. does not change the thing.

Social media still exists. But it is not as decisive as itused to be. The real issue is how and for what purpose you useit. The deb ates amplified throughbans, both the cWe do not have strong datasuggesting that it carriesus forward in the digital worldat customs. On the contrary,past experiencessuggest that thisdoes not work very well.