Counterfeiting and illegal trade, whose size has exceeded 2.2 trillion dollars and reached 3 percent of the world economy, has become one of the main problems of the global economy.
Juan Carlos Buitrago, CEO & Founder, of Strategos BIP on the Panel Discussion session titled " Public-Private Partnerships: Effective ways to Coordinate Efforts and Leverage the Strengths of different Stakeholders in the fight against Counterfeiting" at the EMEA Security Conference and Exhibition 2023.
Counterfeiting and illegal trade, whose size has exceeded 2.2 trillion dollars and reached 3 percent of the world economy, has become one of the main problems of the global economy. While the size of the counterfeit product market alone exceeded half a trillion dollars, the illegal trade of everything, including human beings, began to spread. Domestic and foreign sector representatives, government agencies and private organizations shared ways to prevent illegal trade at the EMEA Security Conference held in Istanbul.
Fraud and illegal trade continue to threaten the global economy. Illegal trade, which poses great risks to the economy, security and public health, is also an important source of financing for organized crime and terrorist organizations. The size of counterfeiting and illegal trade, which has become a global problem in all aspects, exceeds 2.2 trillion dollars, which is 3 percent of the world economy, according to the estimates of international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Economic Forum. The dark economy in question is larger than the economies of countries such as Brazil, Italy and Canada, or the combined economic size of Mexico and Indonesia. The value of counterfeit and pirated goods is estimated to be equivalent to about 7 percent of all their goods in the world.
Industry representatives, government agencies and private organizations came together at the EMEA Security Conference held in Istanbul on May 31-June 1 in order to determine the roadmap for the fight against counterfeiting and illegal trade, which the whole world is in trouble for, and to find solutions to the urgent problems that arise. Hazem İbrahim, the organizer of the EMEA Security Conference, cited the report prepared by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), citing that the total global trade size of counterfeit and pirated goods is estimated to be approximately 509 billion dollars. stated. It is stated that the size of drug smuggling is 320 billion dollars, human trafficking is 150 billion dollars, and the size of illegal tobacco and products is around 40 billion dollars.
Great interest in the EMEA Security Conference
Turkish Ministry of Customs and Trade, Ambarlı Customs Directorate, European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), Malaysian Ministry of Health, Royal Malaysian Customs Authority, US Consulate General in Istanbul-Homeland Security Investigations, UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), REACT, the Pharmaceutical Safety Institute (PSI) and the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illegal Trade (TRACIT) with around 200 private sector representatives from more than 17 countries attended the conference.
Turkey's struggle draws attention
At the conference, the situation in Turkey was also scrutinized, along with global data on counterfeiting and illegal trade. Tracit Senior Policy Analyst Esteban Gudici highlighted the important points regarding the current struggle in Turkey, statistics and future actions from the study titled “Analysis of Inflation, Purchasing Power and Illicit Trade-Turkey”.
Gudici said: “Turkey's regulatory authorities, institutions and law enforcement agencies are considered to be strong in combating illicit trade and exceeding international standards in many respects. Turkey is actively fighting the illegal trade that has infiltrated various industries, including textiles, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, electronics, petroleum, tobacco products and others.”
Tax loss on tobacco 60 billion TL
Stating that illegal trade in clothing and accessories, shoes, alcohol and tobacco products draws attention in Turkey, Estaban Gudici said that it points to a special situation in the illegal trade of tobacco products in Turkey. Stating that many countries are struggling with different forms of illegal tobacco products trade, Gudici talked about the stuffed macarons problem in Turkey. Gudici said, “These products are filled with illegal open tobacco and sold illegally. This problem not only causes 60 billion TL annual tax loss for the Turkish government, but also harms public health policies.
Appreciating Turkey's fight against illegal trade, Gudici said: “Turkey has demonstrated the determination and determination of the state to root out illegal activity by taking various steps to combat illegal trade in recent years. Yet more can be done. Measures to reduce illicit trade more effectively, such as improving governance and coordination, facilitating enforcement, strengthening intellectual property rights protections, tightening border controls and increasing criminal deterrence, can help Turkey rigorously combat all forms of illicit trade.
Linked to illegal trade and criminal organizations
One of the speakers of the conference, retired Brigadier General Juan Carlos Buitrago, who served in the Colombian National Police Service for 33 years, also stated that illegal trade is a serious problem in his special statement to How One Economy. Noting that Panama plays an important role in illicit trade, Buitrago talked about the similarities between Turkey and Panama and said: “It is an important problem that illegal trade is very closely linked with criminal organizations. Therefore, illegal trade is part of the international crime system. It is very important that all stakeholders come together to solve this problem. Panama, with its free zones and canal, is a strategic axis in international trade, as well as an important place for criminals. Criminals are using this country, especially free zones and canal from everywhere especially Asia, They use it to bring illegal products like cigarettes from North Korea, India and China. They take these products to Central America, South America and the Caribbean countries especially Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador. Nearly 8 billion illegal cigarettes from Asia, North Korea, India and China travel to these countries via the Panama Canal. Turkey's situation is similar to Panama, as it is a crossing point between Asia and Europe.” Approximately 8 billion illegal cigarettes coming from Turkey are transferred to these countries through the Panama Canal. Turkey's situation is similar to Panama, as it is a crossing point between Asia and Europe.” Approximately 8 billion illegal cigarettes coming from Turkey are transferred to these countries through the Panama Canal. Turkey's situation is similar to Panama, as it is a crossing point between Asia and Europe.”
Translated with google translate. Originally published at:
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