Adil Pelister Assesses the Chemical Industry

Assessment of the Chemical Sector by Adil Pelister Adil Pelister, Chairman of the Board of İKMİB (Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association), issued a written assessment regarding Turkey's economic growth data for 2021 announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). In his assessment, Pelister stated: "Turkey's economy grew 9.1% in the fourth quarter of 2021, while achieving double-digit growth of 11% for the full year 2021. We consider it important and are satisfied that our country achieved strong growth in 2021, termed the new normal following the pandemic. One of the most significant factors in this growth is the export-led growth strategy. Indeed, as the chemical sector, we became the second sector contributing most to our country's exports and consequently to its growth. We are proud of all our exporters for this success of our chemical sector. Our chemical sector, which plays a leading role in our country's growth and assumes a strategic role in the economy with its 16 subsectors, set a record in 2021 with exports of USD 25.4 billion. In 2021, our sector grew by approximately 40%. During the nine-month period of 2021, the Turkish chemical sector captured 0.76% of global chemical sector exports. Our export target for 2022 is to reach USD 28 billion. On the other hand, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which also concerns our country closely, continues to raise energy costs and commodity prices. As the chemical sector, which is 70% dependent on imports in terms of raw materials, we are closely monitoring these developments. We wish for these and similar geopolitical tensions and crises occurring worldwide to end as soon as possible. As the chemical sector, with awareness of the responsibility incumbent upon us to increase the value-added of our exports, we will continue to work harder, produce more, and increase our exports." he said.