While giving reference to the works of ready-made clothing and apparel industry regarding sustainable production headline which paved way long before the 'Green Consensus', Gültepe said, ''We will deliver a very strong message to our European business partners about our perseverance regarding 'Green Transformation’ with 'Ready to Wear and Apparel Industry' and 'Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan.’’
Ready-made clothing and apparel, which is amongst the Turkey’s strategic sectors with its value-added production and contribution to employment and exports, achieved the certification of 'Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan' which regarded as the roadmap of the compatibility process to 'Green Consensus.' The distinction, which composed of six components as of titles and 40 actions, revealed to the public during the meeting with the participation of Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) President Mustafa Gültepe and with the attendance of industry chairman’s. While at the same time maintaining position as the President of the Istanbul Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters' Association (İHKİB), Gültepe emphasized on the importance for the industries to define their strategies to comply with the 'Green Consensus.'
Mustafa Gültepe: "We Have to Maximize Our Green Production Capacity"
While noting that in excess of 40 percent of Turkey's total exports are made to the European Union (EU) countries, and giving figures about the ready-to-wear and apparel with its portion exceeding 60 percent, Gültepe said, ’’The European Union disclosed the European Green Consensus which was mapped out not only as a climate policy but also as an economic transformation program in December 2019. We have to closely follow these legislations applied by the European Union, which base all of its policies on the green transformation base level also to maintain our global competitiveness. EU countries are of vital importance for our exports with their geographical proximity. Especially in ready-made clothing and apparel, this massive market has no substitute. Therefore, we have to make ready our industry at pace for zero carbon target in 2050. We are aiming to increase the kilogram unit value to 40 dollars and our annual exports to 40 billion dollars in ready-made clothing and apparel. To achieve our goal, we have to increase our production that owns design, innovation and brand and also we have to maximize our green production capacity. Since three out of four EU-based companies will re-engineer their supply chain on the basis of sustainability by 2030. The compulsory compliance will apply on the textile products to be durable, recyclable and free from hazardous chemicals. We are still the EU's third largest supplier of ready-made clothing and apparel. Despite of positioning strategically in this big market, we are not inescapable. So, we should keep in mind this reality while making our preparations and transform our infrastructure gradually.’’
Mustafa Gültepe:“Financial Support for Green Transformation Carries Vital Importance”
Mustafa Gültepe reminded that the Turkish ready-made clothing and apparel industry put green transformation on its agenda long before the 'Green Consensus.’ While giving information about the roadmap that was defined together with the 'Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan', Gültepe continued as follows: “Our ready-made clothing and apparel industry pursue sustainability work projects that are either finalized or are ongoing. Financial support carries out paramount importance for the 'green transformation'. With the projects laid out by İHKİB, we are accessing EU grants effectively. After textiles, which complement each other as a whole, ready-made clothing and apparel specifying its sustainability strategy. I believe that with the actions in this document, which acts as a roadmap for the industry, we will achieve our export target of 40 billion dollars in a much shorter time. With this document, we will deliver a very strong message of determination also to our European business partners, especially in green production topic.”
