After the automotive sector, Turkey's second largest export sector is textiles, makes a major contribution to the national economy. An important part of ready-to-wear exports with an annual potential of 18 billion dollars was obtained from the Mediterranean region. Mediterranean Exporters 'Association (AKİB) Coordinator Chairman and Mediterranean Clothing and Apparel Exporters' Union Chairman Hayri Uğur said, "Turkey's apparel exports annually has $ 18 billion potential. The contribution of the region to the sector valued at $ 1 billion annually. The $ 400 million coming from AKİB, $ 600 million from the Mersin Free Zone’’ and mentioned about the important joint contribution of the cities Adana, Hatay, Iskenderun, Kayseri and Karaman to the sector.
High Demand from EU
Spain is the first market that then followed by England, Germany and Middle East countries as AKİB stated by Uğur and he concluded his speech with the following, "72 percent of the apparel exports directed to the European Union (EU). One out of every 10 people in Europe prefer made in Turkey labeled clothes. Men and women clothing’s have witnessed strong demand from woven fabric. Outlook to the imported products are quite positive. Companies from abroad have come to know that they purchase high quality products from Turkey. Consequently, Turkey is the third largest supplier of the European Union’’.
