Governing Board Meeting of Fashion and Garment Federation (MHGF) was hosted by the Aegean Shoe Industrialists’ Association (EGEAYSAD) in İzmir. Hüseyin Öztürk, Chairman of Governing Board of MHGF, and Mukadder Özden, Chairman of Governing Board of EGSD, made evaluations about the agenda after the meeting. Stating that textile and garment sectors went through the golden season last year and became the locomotive of the Turkish economy, EGSD Chairman Özden said that they received the award of high quality understanding and honest works. MGHF Chairman Öztürk said that they sincerely congratulate the Aegean clothing industrialists.
Stating that their own sectors have difficulties due to the regression in the internal market and great competition in the world markets, Özden said that they started counting down for leadership in Turkey once more despite all negative conditions. Emphasizing that Turkey has become more expensive with the increasing input costs, Özden added that, “Naturally, we have difficulty in competing with other manufacturers. Export figures dropped when exchange prices rapidly increased in recent months were added as well. Despite all these negativities, garment sector became the champion of the last year. We want to maintain this success this year.”
“We can achieve more if we overcome the problems”
Emphasizing that they are really happy for this success despite the stationary course followed by the world markets in about 4 years, Özden stated that export figures will further increase on condition that problems in the garment sector are eliminated and added that, “It is not easy to do business in the industry branches even under normal conditions. Everybody heads toward sectors which do not create more employment opportunities but have high profit margins. Entrepreneurs approach more cautiously to such ventures. The work of the industrialist becomes even more difficult in this case. There is a tendency which is burdensome but yields less. This is what is actually dangerous”.
“Government Should Certainly Be Established Following the Election”
Stating that the situation in Turkey is perceived as if a civil war by the foreign countries, Özden added that, “Especially such countries as USA and Japan perceive like this. In Europe, the situation is a bit better; they can see what is happening. However, they think that Turkey is not democratic enough and commercially reliable. Martyr news that is broadcast everyday creates a perception that there is security problem in the country. Business people get anxious due to the terror news. Conciliation and peace environment are very important in our country for the happiness of our people and trade of the country. Our country lost 5 months when the government could not be established after the June election and snap election was held. Government should be established immediately after the November 1 election. If there will be a coalition, it must be established without delay. Our growth rate fell below even the rates of coalition periods. This fragile environment is highly dangerous for the future of our country. I think that nobody wants to jeopardize those who have made investments or created employment opportunities. This may lead to a domino effect.”
“We have no other choice than working”
Stating that they, as Federation, continue their works in order to always do the best and preserve the business and market, MHGF Chairman Hüseyin Öztürk added that they are in continuous contact with the member associations and continued as such, “Most of the entrepreneurs of those periods when export was encouraged outstandingly and was a comfortable business abandoned the sector. Only those who can do this business duly and properly continue in this business. And we try to cooperate as much as possible under these difficult conditions. We are currently trying to overcome the problems. We are not highly pleased but we do not have any other choice than working, producing and providing added value.”
