Boycott call sparks outcry from Turkish business sector, urges citizens support economy

Türkiye’s main opposition party CHP-backed boycott call, which urged citizens not to buy anything on Wednesday, sparked backlash from the Turkish business world, as chambers urged that Turkish companies be excluded from political disputes and called for resilience in the country’s economy.

The boycott call, promoted by the opposition this week in response to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of a corruption probe, aimed to showcase the breadth of public support he has received.

Chairs of Turkish business chambers and associations issued successive statements on Tuesday, calling on citizens not to target Turkish companies or harm the country’s economic stability. They condemned efforts to politicize economic activity and stressed that domestic businesses should not become collateral in political conflicts, urging all parties to act responsibly to safeguard national economic interests.

They also called on citizens to spend even more on April 2 in a move to neutralize the boycott and strengthen the resilience of key sectors.

‘Our companies must be kept out of political debates’

Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarciklioglu said targeting companies that produce, provide employment, and invest—through boycott calls—was wrong, stating: “Our companies must be kept out of political debates.”

Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK) President Bendevi Palandoken said tradesmen and artisans should be supported and that trade should not be disrupted. “Tradespeople who are trying to serve their customers in this economic hardship should be supported, and trade must not be halted,” he said.

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) President Sekib Avdagic emphasized the importance of unity and shared values, stating that this is a time when such principles must be upheld. He noted that companies are among the foremost symbols of these common values and described the boycott calls as irrational. “No one can attack companies that are products of Türkiye’s local and independent economy and are sources of employment,” Avdagic added.

Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Chair Erdal Bahcivan said it is natural and legitimate for citizens in democratic societies to express their objections and criticisms through legal channels when they disagree with certain issues. He warned of the potential harm such calls could cause and urged caution. “Instead of disrupting or damaging the balance in production and trade life, I believe it would be more beneficial for our country to act within the boundaries of democracy and law,” he said.

Istanbul Commodity Exchange President Ali Kopuz criticized the boycott attempt as a sign of desperation and poor judgment, warning that efforts to hinder trade by targeting local brands would not succeed. “This call is a clear example of desperation and lack of foresight. Our nation will surely not fall for these games.”

Anatolian Lions Businessmen Association (ASKON) President Orhan Aydın described the move to politicize the economy as irrational, emphasizing that the legal process should be followed through proper channels rather than by inciting public unrest or targeting producers. “You cannot run a process by driving people into the streets, setting them against one another, and targeting the producers who work day and night for the prosperity of our country and our people.”

All Restaurants and Tourism Association (TURES) President Ramazan Bingol warned that boycott calls could put local and national brands, as well as small businesses, in a difficult position. “With these calls, tradespeople, producers, and businesses from across the political spectrum in Türkiye are being targeted,” he said. “Millions of people earn their livelihoods from the very purchases the boycott aims to halt. We call on conscientious citizens to shop more and consume more tomorrow.”

Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD) President Mahmut Asmali described the boycott as an attempt to disrupt economic balance and paralyze markets, negatively impacting production and employment. He said, “This call is a blatant attempt to weaken our local and national capital, endanger our economic independence, and open the door to global capital.”

‘Businesses affected from boycott may file compensation claims’

On the other hand, Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat condemned the boycott calls on Tuesday, adding that businesses that suffer financial losses due to the boycott may file compensation claims against those promoting it.

Bolat highlighted that Türkiye has increased its economic output by 6.5 times in dollar terms and created 11 million new jobs. He described the boycott calls as an attempt by the opposition to cover up corruption and bribery scandals surrounding municipalities under their control.

“At this point, I call on our citizens to stand firm against the efforts of this radical minority to disrupt the economy, employment, and the livelihoods of our people,” he said, encouraging citizens to go ahead with their planned purchases and conduct their trade specifically on Wednesday, if they were intending to shop in the coming days.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office also launched an investigation into the boycott calls on social media, under charges of “hate and discrimination” and “inciting the public to hatred and hostility.