"Chemicals" Became Turkey's Second-Largest Export Sector in 2019

According to data from Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters Association (IKMIB), exports of the chemicals sector increased by 18.77 percent in August compared to August 2018 and reached USD 1.63 billion. Eight months of chemicals exports increased by 18.83 percent and reached USD 13.4 billion. Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters Association (IKMIB) Chairman Adil Pelister, who participated in the "Press Statement on August 2019 Export Numbers" organized in Sivas on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Sivas Congress, expressed his views as follows: "We continue our journey as the second largest exporting sector in 2019. Our chemicals exports reached USD 1.63 billion in August with an 18.77 percent increase. Eight months of exports by our sector increased by 18.83 percent and reached USD 13.4 billion. Our Minister of Commerce, Ruhsar Pekcan, announced the Exports Masterplan.

This significant masterplan guides exporters and identifies us as one of the 5 priority sectors. Our strategically important chemicals sector plays a major role in Turkey's growth by significantly contributing as the second largest exporting sector.

To reduce dependence on imports for raw materials in the chemicals sector, we need to attract direct investment to our country, particularly in our sector. We need to establish specialized free zones. This new wave must focus on digital transformation and be technologically advanced in its design. Efficiency, innovation, and advanced technology take center stage in the new masterplan. As sector representatives, we also support digital transformation. In line with the export target set for our country in 2019 of USD 200 billion, we at IKMIB continue our efforts to increase chemicals sector exports by 15 percent to reach USD 20 billion." The Netherlands became the leading recipient of exports in August. Chemicals exports to the Netherlands in August 2019 amounted to USD 166.149 million. In August, exports to the Netherlands consisted mainly of "mineral fuels, mineral oils and products," "plastics and plastic products," "inorganic chemicals," "essential oils, cosmetics and soap," "miscellaneous chemical products," "rubber and rubber products," and "organic chemicals." Eight months of chemicals exports to the Netherlands this year reached USD 740.6 million. In January-August 2019, the top ten countries receiving Turkish chemicals exports were the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany, Iraq, Egypt, Malta, the United States, Greece, and the United Kingdom.