Unbelievable bottelnecks against Ziraat Bank in Greece

Greek authorities create unbelievable barriers aganist Ziraat Bank that will open branches in Athens and Gumulcine (Komotini). Reportedly, Gumulcine branch manager lives serious problems about stay and live permits. Branch manager stated that Greek authorities wanted tax number from him when he applied for stay permit and when he applied for tax number, authorities stated that it was not possible to get a tax number without stay permit. As a result, branch manager was able to get neither tax number nor stay permit. Additionally, Turkish Embassy in Athens exerted great long-lasting efforts to open even a bank account

It was commented that those challenges stem mainly from political concerns rather than burecrecy and their aim is to postpone the opening of Ziraat Bank in Greece.

As might be recalled, conservatives opposed to the opening of Ziraat Bank strongly. Due to that opposition, Greek authorities try to postpone the opening of the branches to lessen the reactions.

Ziraat Bank is a big opportunity for economic development of the region…

Halit Habipoglu, chairman of Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe, stated that Greek banks operated in Turkey without being exposed to any challenges, adding that Greek authorities created unbelievable challenges against Turkish banks. “Western Thrace is the least developed region in the region and Turkish minority need financial sources for economic development. Economic discrimination together with weak credit possibilities offered to minority members resulted in low investment level in the region. Due to this, Ziraat Bank carries great importance for the economic development of the region and economic development of the region frightens some people. However, there is a significant missing point which should be underlined; if Western Thrace is developed, this will contribute significantly to the welfare of our country, Greece. I request from my country to be aware of the potential of this region.” said Habipoglu.