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Russian legislator: Erdogan’s policies affect four sectors of Turkish economy

"The Russian measures contain the clear desire to minimise the damage for the Turkish people," he said
Head of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma Alexey Pushkov Anna Isakova/ TASS
Head of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma Alexey Pushkov
© Anna Isakova/ TASS

MOSCOW, November 29. /TASS/. Turkey’s decision to attack the Russian bomber above Syria will affect four sectors of the Turkish economy, head of the Russian parliament’s international affairs committee Alexei Pushkov said in a comment on the presidential order regarding certain measures against Turkey.

"Clearly, Erdogan has used an air-to-air missile against the Turkish economy," the legislator said. "That would affect four sectors."

First of all, the tourism business, he said.

"The input from Russian tourists was between $3.5 and 4 billion every year - which is between 12 and 18% of the country’s tourism business," he said.

Secondly, the impact will be on the companies, which had contracts in Russia, and their gross income in 2014 made 50 billion roubles, he said.

Thirdly, the measures are against the companies, which exported goods to Russia, he said.

"Since recently, the trade turnover between Russia and Turkey was as high as $30 billion, that would be a big obstacle for the export. They will have to try other markets, but I do not think all companies will succeed."

"Then, it would be a general impact on the Turkish budget - with lower revenues from export, from the companies working in Russia, and from tourism," he said.

"The Russian measures contain the clear desire to minimise the damage for the Turkish people," he continued.

"For example, those working under a contract as of December 31, 2015, will keep the job - only new enrolment is banned. Besides, Turkish nationals having residence permits will not be affected by the introduced visa regime," he said. "The human aspect has been considered to the extent it was possible."

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that suspends employment of Turkish workers starting from January 1, 2016. Also, Russia suspends the visa-free travel agreement with Turkey, imposes bans or restrictions on imports of certain goods (the list will be determined by the government). Besides, travel agencies are advised against selling holiday packages to Turkey. The government is instructed to tighten control over activities of Turkish haulage companies with the goal of ensuring security within Russia.