TİM Regional Consultation Meetings Begin

The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) has launched 'TİM Regional Consultation Meetings' to support exporter associations during the pandemic. The first meeting series, conducted with Central Anatolian Exporter Associations, will continue online on a regional basis. Emphasizing that Turkey's exports have come through this difficult period successfully, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle stated, "When we look at countries around the world, we are among those whose exports have been least affected by the pandemic. In the coming period, our country will continue to set records with its position as a 'Reliable Supply Port.'" The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), the single-roof organization in Turkey for 95,000 exporters from 61 exporter associations across 27 sectors, is organizing 'TİM Regional Consultation Meetings' online to listen to exporters' concerns and demands and provide support in Turkey's fight against coronavirus. The first of these meetings to be held in other regions during the pandemic was conducted with Central Anatolian Exporter Associations. The virtual meeting, hosted by TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, was attended by TİM Board members and exporter association presidents. In his address at the meeting, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle noted that they have been experiencing a period that has deeply affected the economies and trade of countries since March, stating: "When we examine countries' trade in the first six months of the year, India's exports fell 24%, Mexico's exports fell 20%, and the US exports fell 16%. On the import side in the first six months of this year, India saw a 31% decline, South Africa a 25% decline, Argentina a 20% decline, and Mexico a 20% decline. Many international organizations expect the world economy to experience the deepest contraction since World War II. S&P expects a 3.8% contraction in the global economy in 2020, while Fitch expects 4.6%, and the IMF expects a 4.9% global decline. All these expectations mean that nearly three times the effects of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis will be experienced. Turkey's exports, however, have managed to come through this difficult period successfully. With June, when normalization accelerated globally and domestically, Turkey's exports not only normalized but reached figures above normal. Indeed, our exports, which showed an increase of over 35% in June compared to the previous month, continued this success in July with an 11.5% increase compared to June. When we look at countries around the world, we are among those whose exports have been least affected by the pandemic. In the coming period, our country will continue to set records with its position as a 'Reliable Supply Port,'" he said.

Exports in Central Anatolia Showed Successful Performance

Gülle, noting that as TİM they closely follow current developments, opportunities and risks in competitor and target countries for exporters, reported the following regarding exports made by Central Anatolian Exporter Associations: "Exports from our Central Anatolian Exporter Associations also showed successful performance in June and July. Our Central Anatolian Exporter Association increased its exports by 26% in June compared to May, reaching USD 1.234 billion in exports. In July, it achieved USD 1.359 billion in exports with a 10% increase compared to June. More than 10% of our country's exports were achieved by the Central Anatolian Exporter Associations (CAEA). We congratulate all exporters within CAEA for this successful performance in the figures, and I sincerely believe you will reach much higher figures in exports."

Even if a Second Wave of the Pandemic Occurs, We Will Make Up for the Loss

At the meeting, exporter association presidents provided information about the current situation in their sectors. CAEA Coordinator Chairman Tahsin Ata stated: "As CAEA, we serve 28,000 members in 8 sectors. Our association's export figures for the first 7 months totaled USD 8.3 billion. Due to the negative effects of coronavirus, we believe it is appropriate to act within the framework of systematic econometric analysis and an interdisciplinary approach. In line with the EU's need to choose near and reliable countries instead of China and Asia in the supply chain, it is certain that Turkey will move to a more advantageous position after this period. This meeting is a beginning. I believe that our association's activities and efforts to increase our exports will continue more effectively with the contributions of TİM," he said. Machinery and Components Exporters Association Chairman Kutlu Karavelioğlu stated: "As the machinery sector, we thank our TİM Chairman for his support in rapidly removing the reference to Central Anatolia from our association's name. In this way, the inclusive nature of our sector covering all of Turkey has been emphasized. Due to the pandemic, we experienced the bottom in exports, but by the end of 2020, even if a second wave of the pandemic occurs, we will make up for this loss. The pandemic has taught us that we need to plan more comprehensive and global actions in online operations and promotional and marketing activities," he said. Central Anatolia Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters Association Chairman İsmail Yılmaz stated: "During the pandemic, the ornamental plants sector experienced serious difficulties as it was not classified as a force majeure. However, the sector's decline recovered by 50% as of June, with markets such as Italy and Spain being closed by Turkish exporters. By the end of the year, we will reach last year's export figures," he said.

Defense and Aviation Industry Exporters Association Chairman Abdullah Naki Polat noted: "Our Defense Industry Association reached its peak last year with USD 1.6 billion in exports.

However, due to the pandemic, when compared to July of last year, we see a 29% decline in our exports this year. We expect the civil aviation sector's recovery to continue until 2023." Air Conditioning Industry Exporters Association Mehmet Hakkı Şanal noted that the sector's export-to-import coverage ratio has approached 90%, while Ankara Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association Chairman Şerafettin Ceceli emphasized that exporter associations need innovations in their structures parallel to developments in the world. Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Clay Products Exporters Association Erdem Çenesiz stated: "Regional Councils are quite beneficial. Although we meet virtually due to the pandemic, we should continue these meetings frequently. Afterwards, we should also meet face-to-face. Such meetings are really very important during these difficult times when we need morale and solidarity. We thank our Chairman," he said.       .