Istanbul Ready Wear and Garment Exporters Union (IHKIB) President Mustafa Gültepe, demanded factory buildings construction in Anatolian region from the Mass Housing Administration (TOKI). Gültepe, stated that if they give positive respond, they would change all the factory buildings into the production centres.
Gültepe who is statingthet they need production and export to make an increase on Turkey’s welfare, also continued as; “Our garment and apparel sector, which is the engine of manufacturing industry in production, employment and value added exports, has reached 80% in capacity utilization. Our industry, which aims to double its exports of 18 billion dollars in the medium term, urgently needs new investments and modern facilities. TOKI can play a very important role in the realization of this project and preparing the sector for the future with modern facilities. It can transform public buildings in Anatolia region into factories or build new factory buildings that will contribute positively to the perception of our fashion industry in the world.”
Gültepe Speaks of 2019 Targets
Commenting on the 2018 performance of the Turkish fashion industry and its expectations for 2019, Gültepe said that the sector will complete the year with around 18 billion dollars of exports, of which at least 2 billion dollars will be branded products. Gültepe underlined that they achieved an increase of 5 percent this year for the first time in exports after a three-year static period.
“Political instability in the region, geopolitical problems and global trade and exchange wars continue to pose risks for 2019. Protection practices in trade, as well as trade wars and exchange wars, are also risk factors. Within the framework of the additional tariffs, trade wars if we consider the United States against China could open new windows of opportunity for Turkey. In spite of the negativities, we aim to maintain the level in 2018 and to increase the level of 10 percent in 2019.”
According to October 2018 data, Mustafa Gültepe reminded that they employ 511 thousand people in the sector. In 2019, he stated that they intend to maintain this level and to increase exports by 10 per cent, and to create new jobs with planned and on-going investments in Anatolia region.
