While underlining the obstacles encountered in 2023 as a consequence of contraction, recession, inflation, war, natural disaster and financial crisis following the achieved successes in 2022, Güven Karaca said, “We know our goal in the 100th anniversary of our Republic as well and we are on the road to export. We are commissioning new projects to increase our exports and to stand out in the competition. Our exporting companies can deliver all orders from 1 parcel to 1000 parcels to buyers abroad. In other words, delivering exports to the specified address."
Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters' Association (IDMIB) held the '2022 Champions in Export' award ceremony. 356 IDMIB member companies were entitled to receive awards based on 2022 export performance. Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Chairman Mustafa Gültepe also attended the award ceremony hosted by İDMİB Board of Directors and Chairman Güven Karaca.
"Our Leather Industry Proved Its Resilience"
While delivering a speech at the award ceremony, Mustafa Gültepe said; “The leather and leather products industry has a deep-rooted history in our country. The sector makes a significant contribution to our exports as well as to our production and employment. The sector exported over 2 billion dollars for the first time in 2022. I would specifically underline 19 percent increase in exports achieved by the sector last year. Despite all the negativities experienced in 2023, our leather industry proved its resilience during these 9 months. While talking about the future of our exports, we must also take into account the issue of sustainability. Our leather industry made a very important move in this regard last month. We announced the action plan, which regarded as a roadmap for the compliance with the 'Green Consensusl' in the sector, with President Güven. I would like to thank President Güven and everyone whom have contributed to the project."
"Export Record in 2022"
While stating that the advancements in recent years have made the sector more stronger and resilient, Güven Karaca said, “We have found ways to constantly improve ourselves and keep up with the changing world conditions. For this reason, new opportunities and successes emerged simultaneously with every challenge we have come across.’’ While stating that IDMIB increased its exports to over 2 billion dollars with an increase of 18.8 percent in 2022, Güven Karaca said, “This was a record for us. While we became the 8th sector that increased its exports amongst 27, we also managed to reach the highest increase in exports in sector classification under the umbrella of İTKİB as well. On the basis of subsections, there was a 21 percent increase in our shoe exports. Our exports reached to 1 billion 218 million dollars. Our saddlery exports increased by 32.2 percent to 320.2 million dollars. We exported 236.9 million dollars in leather and fur garments. Our increase here was 12.1 percent. While the increase in the field of finished leather and fur was at the level of 2 percent, exports of 277 million dollars were achieved."
"New Economic Policy Supports Exporters"
While underlining the obstacles encountered in 2023 as a consequence of contraction, recession, inflation, war, natural disaster and financial crisis following the achieved successes in 2022, Güven Karaca said: “İDMİB's exports reduced by 2.9 percent to 1 billion 488 million dollars in the first 9 months of 2023. While there was a 1.8 percent increase in shoe exports, exports increased to 931.7 million dollars in the first 9 months. The figures in saddlery exports decreased to 8.8 percent while exports remained at 206 million dollars. There was a 4.6 percent increase in leather and fur garment exports. Exports increased to 176.2 million dollars. The figures in finished leather and fur exports also fallen to 22.7 percent. Exports decreased to 166.7 million dollars in the first 9 months. While such a situation occurred in 2023, Eximbank's daily rediscount loan volume increased from 300 million TL to 1.5 billion TL. TİM signed a protocol for loans with 11 banks. The Central Bank reduced the financing cost of rediscount loans that encourage exports and increased company limits. All these instances show that our new economic policy supports exporters and prioritizes them.”
''We are on the Road for Exports in 100th Anniversary"
While stating that as İDMİB, carrying out many works to develop exports and to support exporters while also implementing many projects, Güven Karaca said, “All our committees are carrying out very successful works in their own fields. From fairs to internet platforms, from sustainability to events, from communication to education, all our committees work for our sector and exports. As İDMİB, we aim to move Turkey and the sector to higher levels in global competition. We know our goal in the 100th anniversary of our Republic. We are on the road for export. We are also working hard to deliver our products all over the world. We have also commissioned a very valuable task that will enable our exporting companies to deliver all orders from 1 parcel to 1000 parcels to buyers abroad. Thus, Turkish leather can be shipped to buyers' addresses around the world. Apart from all these, we are also aware of all the difficulties we face, especially when we talk about unfair competition from imports. We attach great importance to the exchange of ideas in order to overcome these problems together, and we take care to meet with our sector representatives at every opportunity."
