Important export and industry organizations of the Turkish apparel industry gave a common statement, declared by IHKIB President Mustafa Gültepe, of ‘manufacturing more, exporting and unity’ against the exchange rate storm. It was said ‘we will not condemn our country to exchange rate by manufacturing more, exporting more’ in the announced declaration.
The ‘Production Export-Unity Declaration’, which has the signature of 11 sectoral association and 5 unions of the apparel industry, was announced at a meeting at Four Season Hotel in Istanbul. IHKIB President Mustafa Gültepe made the declaration underlining that the industry speaks with one voice. Stating that the attempts to lower the value of the Turkish Lira were followed with great confusion, Gültepe noted that the point where the exchange rates are could not be explained only by internal dynamics.
Mustafa Gültepe laid down the measures to be taken
It is indicated that a trade war is raging in the world and Turkey is trying to be turned into front in this war by its close ally for nearly 70 years and strategic partner US. The declaration continues as follows; “We cannot reconcile this initiative, which is completely speculative, directly targeting our country, our economy and therefore our people, with alliance and strategic partnership. We, as always, will continue to be and remain with our country, our government and our nation in this process. We are aware of our responsibilities as representatives of the apparel industry, which produces, exports and contributes 14 billion dollars annually to the closure of the current deficit.”
Gültepe said that they knew their responsibilities as an industry and expressed their will to unite their strengths and to break records by raising their annual exports of 17 billion dollars to 19 billion dollars. Gültepe stated that their contribution to the closure of the current deficit will be 16 billion dollars. The measures to be taken; in order for the real economy to overcome the currency crisis with the least damage are as follows; “establishing tight monetary policy; putting measures to restrict trade in foreign currencies in the domestic market as soon as possible; early release of those who are punished for the exchange rate increase; removing the exchange rate pressure on exporters using foreign currency loan; protecting the production capacity of the real sector; etc.”
Industry’s full support to the declaration
The following unions and associations signed the declaration shared with the public; İstanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB); Mediterranean Apparel Exporters’ Association (AHKİB); Denizli Exporters’ Association (DENİB); Aegean Apparel Exporters’ Association (EHKİB); Uludağ Apparel Exporters’ Association (UHKİB); United Brands Association (BMD); Merter Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MESIAD); Turkish Clothing Manufacturer’s Association (TGSD); Bayrampaşa Textile Industrialist and Businessmen Association (BATİAD); Hosiery Manufacturers Association (ÇSD); Garment Sub-Industry Association (KYSD); Laleli Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (LASIAD); Fashion Designers Association (MTD); Osmanbey Textile Businessmen Association (OTİAD); All Lingerie Industrialists Association (TİGSAD).