Clothing industry aims to increase their exports by 50% up to 25 billion USD level in the next 5 years. TGSD President Hadi Karasu ranked their goals as such; proactive initiatives in new markets, branding studies and sustainability through circular economy.
Turkish Clothing Manufacturers’ Association (TGSD) 21st Period Board of Directors announced their export goals via a press gathering. TGSD President Hadi Karasu stated that they aim to increase the garment export of Turkey by an approximate of 50% up to 25 billion USD level in the next five years. Indicating to their expectancy of value increase as well as export number increase, Karasu emphasized that they were aiming to increase the value index in garment from 20 USD to 40 USD per kg.
In addition to TGSD President Hadi Karasu, TGSD Vice Presidents Esra Ercan, Cevdet Karahasanoğlu and Murat Aydın participated in the meeting to discuss the future of the sector and the association and its exercises. Karasu; “There is no such thing as ‘bad or good market conditions’. There is ‘the market realities’. You need to attune to market’s realities not the opposite. Now is the time to aim higher and work much more efficiently.”
Clothing Industry had a good start in 2018
Hadi Karasu reminded Turkish clothing industry is the 7th biggest garment manufacturer in the world the 3rd in Europe and pointed out to the growth potential of the industry especially in foreign markets. “Our garment industry has to keep the growth, mainly in EU” said Karasu and continue saying; “Turkish garment industry will advance in the road to become a world brand with firm steps thanks to rapid production and design capabilities. By 2017 our garment export was 17 billion USD and had an 11% share in Turkey’s 157 billion USD of total exports by the end of the year.”
“If we look to it through a current deficit perspective, we are talking about an industry that adds value as a whole to the national economy because all the inputs are manufactured domestically. On the other hand, our industry, which has single-handedly supplied domestic consumption apart from a small percentage and got ahead of the imports, is essential for the Turkish economy and a value that has to be invested preferably.”
Hadi Karasu has demonstrated clothing industry’s good 2018 start through numbers. In 2018’s first month compared to previous year’s first month industry’s export obtained a 15% net increase, Karasu interpreted it as a positive tableau. Karasu told that biggest export partner Germany’s export has increased by 13,4% and reached up to 305,2 million USD level.
A three step road map has been prepared
Hadi Karasu said that the stagnation of export numbers in the garment industry during the past couple of years is the result of regional and domestic security problems and this has affected foreign purchase group’s desire to do business with Turkey negatively. In order to abolish this perception and to reinforce the business volume TGSD has prepared a three step road map according to Karasu; “Proactive contacts in export markets, concentrate on branding efforts, emphasize on circular economy and sustainability.”
Indicating proactive contact will be made for existing and potential markets, Karasu; “Instead of waiting for the storm to calm down to increase these contacts; we acted proactively and got in touch with all target countries and groups. We will get in touch with critical points in countries such as Netherlands, Germany, UK, Italy and France. We will get over the obstacles to our export increasing potential through exchange of ideas. Germany will be our first stop.”
Defining their goal as to increase unit price in exports from 20 USD to 40 USD; Karasu stated branding of the industry played an important role in this process. Karasu; “Being a brand, with its shortest definition; is to give a promise to your customers and keep it. As Turkey’s garment industry; our work ethic, speed and the standard quality we are promising is of top priority for us.”
EU accredited ‘Turkey Sustainability System’
Expressing sustainability is not arbitrary but a necessity now, Hadi Karasu highlighted the importance of commercial sustainability and circular economy; “Institutions that can adhere to EU and world standards in this subject cannot exist in world trade. Autonomous institutions or countries around the world have already established their sustainability accreditation systems (Higgs Score, etc.). Turkey’s prominent exporters have the necessary conditions in this regard. But in order to expand this system, certain criteria and supervision structures have to be established in our country. As TGSD, we need to establish a worldly recognised and EU accredited ‘Turkey Sustainability System’; for an increased participation of exporters into our ranks and to increase our potential.”