Firms from Gaziantep which are popular with its recent investments in nonwoven as well as its traditional textile and carpet production are getting ready for big investments in many fields of textile sector. According to the data published in the Official Journal, more than 130 firms from Gaziantep will expand their production areas by benefiting from various textile incentive certificates. While most of these certificates are related to the expansion and modernisation, some of them are related to new investments. With these steps, firms catch such opportunities as customs exemption, VAT exemption, tax reduction, interest and working insurance support. You can find the list of firms which has already received the incentive certificate in question following the overall desciption of Gaziantep market.
Land Price is 45-50 US dollar per square meter in the 5th organised industrial zone
As one of the most important textile centers of Turkey, Gaziantep stands out with its contribution to the total textile export of Turkey. Growing rapidly both in terms of population and investments, Gaziantep continues being leader in terms of nonwoven products in addition to its textile and carpet production. Located at the entrance point of GAP (South Eastern Anatolia Project) geographically, Gaziantep constitutes a basis for the development of GAP project with its industrial and commercial power. Besides, proximity of the city to many other industrial production zones increases its importance.
There are 5 organized industrial zones (OIZs) in Gaziantep which is one of the commercially leader cities. In these industrial zones, first one of which was established in 1986, 778 firms operate in total according to the data of 2012. According to 2012 data of Gaziantep Chamber of Industry, an employment for more than 100.000 individuals is in question. Furthermore, labor force in textile sector constitutes 52 % of our total industrial labor force. In the 4th Organized Industrial Zone which is one of the recently-established zones, about 75-80 firms operate. The 4th OIZ which covers an area of 1200 hectare also stands out as a region where 15.000 people are employed. In the 5th OIZ which is located at Nizip, Gaziantep, land allocations stil continue. Land price changes between 45 and 50 US dollars per square meter in the OIZ where infrastructure works also continue. In the region, different production area also exist including Gaziantep 25 Aralık, Gaziantep Ayakkabıcılık, Islahiye and Oğuzeli.
5 % of Production is Made in Gaziantep
According to the estimations made on tha basis of TUIK data, the city is expected to have a population of around 2.000.000 by 2020 and in parallel to this, investments are expected to increase. Considering the economical growth of the region, textile sector is the leading production segment. Besides, labor force in the textile sector constitutes 52 % of the industrial labor force. Based on Gaziantep’s Organized Industrial Zones and Small Industrial Sites, “preparation and spinning of natural and synthetic yarns”, “carpet and rug production”, “ready textile products except for clothes” are listed among the most important segments in textile sector. When sub-segments of textile sector are considered, carpet, acrilic yarn and recently nonwoven fabric products are defined as the most common products of Gaziantep. 43 % of all factories operating in the region are in the textile sector.
Gaziantep Region has also important contributions to Turkish economy in terms of export. Having only a share of 5 % in total production of Turkey, Gaziantep holds about 4 % of total export volume of Turkey. According to the figures of Turkish Exporters Assembly, Gaziantep has recorded a carpet export volume of 1.451.663.000 dollars in 2012. On the other hand, it has recorded export volumes of 98.196.000 dollars in ready wear and apparel sectors and of 932.480.000 in textile and raw material sectors. Furthermore, the fact that an export volume amounting to 954.840 million dollars out of total textile and raw material export volume amounting to 7.953.651 billion dollars in 2012 was recorded by Gaziantep proves its power.
Iraq Stands Out as the Most Important Market
When countries to which Gaziantep exports to are examined, it is seen that geographically close countries are found at the top of the list. European countries and the United States are also found at the top of the list. In previous years, while export volume rose to 39 % from 33 % in 2009, the share in Europe also increased by 2 points in parallel to this increase. Besides, Middle East and Africa countries preserved their respective shares. When figures of 2010 were examined, it is seen that total export volume of Gaziantep with Iraq reached 1 billion 528 million dollars this year. In this respect, while Iraq constitutes the biggest export share of the region, it is followed by European countries by a 26 % share. However, United States of America and Oceania hold only shares of 4 % and 3 %, respectively. Among the countries to which Gaziantep export its products, Iraq, Suudi Arabia and Syria, Germany, Italy, USA, United Kingdom, Poland and Israel stand out. When export products of Gaziantep are examined, it is seen that industrial products, which include textile, food and agricultural products, have a share of 92,8 %. At this point, it is expressed that the most important export source of Gaziantep is manufacturing industry.
Playing an imporant role in Turkish economy with its industrial and commercial infrastructure, Gaziantep also serves as a bridge which connects important regions thanks to its geographical position. Considering the textile power of the region, it is seen that yarn and carpet manufacturing is intense in Gaziantep beside to the increasing nonwoven investments. Among the textile products of Gaziantep, machine carpet, cotton yarn, acrilic and polypropylene yarn, fancy yarn, velvet yarn, tricot materials, PP bags and big bags and nonwoven technical textiles can be listed. According to 2010 data, more than 300 textile factories operate in Gaziantep Organized Industrial Zone and this figure constitutes more than half of the manufacturing companies. The same data also indicate that there are 250 firms manufacturing machine carpets in Gaziantep while 80 % of the total amount of machine carpets exported to foreign countries is manufactured in this city. There are also 30 firms operating in the machine and metal sector in Gaziantep while weaving, tricot and carpet machines and packaging machines are among the most striking productions.
Nonwoven production increases but there is no clear information
Nonwoven fabric production which started in Gaziantep in 1977 with a small firm today reached important sales figures with the participation of large scale firms. When the production is considered, it is seen that spunbond, meltblown and spunlace segments are intense in the nonwoven sector. As raw material, polyester, polypropylene, synthetic fabric and cotton are used. Nonwoven products manufactured in Gaziantep are generally used for medicine, hygiene and cleaning. A striking feature of the region is that nonwoven firms of the region can survive despite the rough competition conditions. Large-scale firms which refrain from giving clear information about their production export a great part of their production. As to the medium-scale firms, they offer about 60-70 % of their production to the domestic market. Nonwoven fabrics manufactured in Gaziantep are used in diapers, sanitary pads, medical textile products as well as packaging materials (for carpet, food and textile products). Besides, nonwoven fabric export which was 53,6 million dollars in 2006 reached around 80 million dollars in 2012.
