Textile sector has the lean times in 2015 which we left behind the half term due to the political problems in our close geography and the economic situation of the world. Ismal Gulle who is the President of Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporter Association (ITHIB) evaluated Turkish Textile sector for our Publication Group. Ismail Gulle who stated that our textile and raw materials sector export was carried out as 4 billion dollars in the first 6 months of 2015 and he also stated an 11,6% export decline happened when compared to the same period of 2014. Gülle who said ‘’ When we look at the general export of January- June 2015, while a decline of 8,1% is seen when compared to the same period of 2014, decline at textile and raw materials become higher rate’’, added his words that the share of textile sector taken from general export was carried out as 5,5%.
Production Costs in Asia is increasing
Gulle who said Russian Federation had the biggest export marketplace position of Turkish textile and raw materials sector, said that the problems happened between Russian and Ukraine and the political develops occurred then gave a big damage to Russian economy and said ‘’ These incidents caused about 40% decline for our export that we carry out to Russia’’.
Gulle maintains his words as the following ‘’ Correspondingly to the decrease in euro and dollar parity, problems in EU region and reduction of the world economy, an decline happened in our textile and raw materials export. Yet Russian Federation and EU countries are our main markets which we carry out more than 50% of our export. Although these problems, the exports which were made to Asian and Oceanian countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan had important increase by comparison with the same period of last year. In addition to this, export rates of Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea which have less export numbers, important increases for these countries are catching the eyes’’.
Gulle who attracted attention to the increase happened production costs in textile and raw materials’ export to Asia and Oceania regions said ‘’ Losing the feature of cheap production center of the region is on the carpet. We guess that Turkish textile and raw materials export will increase more for Asian region in time’’.
Nonwoven Export increased
When looking at product groups, Gulle said that while their textile fabrics’ and threads’ exports reduced, the reason of increasing of the export of nonwoven products at 4% rate was the added- value, and told ‘’ As veiling and wearing of human is unavoidable needs, demand for traditional textile industry products is continuous. On the other hand, due to advanced technology, technical textiles are starting to shine out as textile materials have been started to use in many sectors, technical textiles are keeping on shining out as well. And the added- value provided by the mentioned products are reflecting on this export increase value’’.
Gulle who maintained his words said ‘’ It is possible to use nonwovens in a wide area from agriculture sector to automotive industry, from medical to space and defense industry and to construction sector. As process steps are less on production of mentioned fabrics, reduce the employer number needed and therefore fabric production speed increases and this reduces production costs. Accordingly, effect is provided for added- value as well’’.
“New markets are required to reach our targets”
Gulle who expressed that Turkish textile sector needed new markets to maintained its growth, said ‘’ As being textile and raw materials sector, we are closely follow up developments in current export marketplaces and determine new strategies according to economic conditions occurred. To spread to new markets as well as current markets is gaining importance to reach 2023 targets by raising the export of our sector. Turkish textile and raw materials sector has had the ear of world- wide purchaser with its quality products and we have export close to 200. Increasing of current marketplace shares according to the economic situations and conditions in those countries are the requirement of vision which our sector adopted to be globally’’.
“The most important role for 2023 belongs to Textile”
Gulle made the following observation on the future of textile sector which undertook one of the most important roles for Turkey to reach 2023 targets: ‘’ Textile sector is one of the most major industry arms and textile products are needed in any time. And textile sector in Turkey, as being an industry arm, has been carrying on activity since the Ottoman period and increased one of the leading exporter sectors world- wide in last thirty years. Turkish textile and raw materials sector targets to increase its export value at about 8,5 billon dollars to 20 billion dollars in 2023. For obtaining of this target, as well as new investments directing of conventional textile products to multi- functional textile products and technical textile will be effective’’.
“Additional Customs Implementations are required”
Recently, as pursuant to the Customs Unions agreement, Gulle who evaluated for our Publication Group that many textile products which were inserted Turkey without making origin review revealed to be Far East origin said ‘’ Distorting of origin country information of the products which come from ATR on EU is a subject which has been closely followed by our sector and presented to the attention of required public institutions. Far East countries developed their competitiveness at textile sector with their low production costs and the subvention which they took from government. On the other hand, as being quality, textile products which are manufactured in Turkey are more superior to these countries. Therefore, with the target of protecting our sector against unfair and detrimental export and keeping investments and production alive, we are supporting additional customs tax implementation for these countries’’.
“University- Industry Collaboration”
Gulle who mentioned the protocol which was signed between İTHİB and Istanbul Technical University, said ‘’ With this protocol that we signed in the past few days, bringing up students in accordance with the needs of our sector especially undergraduate study, preparing Graduation Design Projects, training of professionals in line with the requirements of the sector with Marketing Certification Program, taking Academic Consultancy Services within the scope of R&D, Collaborations of National and International R&D , making collaboration on the subjects of Project Writing Education and Supports are targeted’’.
“Reconciliation message was given”
Finally, Gulle who appraised 7th June general election results for our Publication Group said ‘’ I wish elections to be beneficialness for our country which shows how our nation has an advanced democratic conscious with high participation rate. Our voters uttered that an alternative apart from coming to power alone by going to polls and gave consensus message to all of our parties. We understand that our political parties and our high state officials understand this. Completing the presidency of Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 1st July and electing Dear Ismet Yılmaz who is also our countryman, we know that forming government activities have started. We hope that our new government will be formed as soon as possible and a waiting busy agenda will arrive at a solution’’.
