ChCSIB Sets Export Target: $6.2 Billion

CCIST Sets Export Target: USD 6.2 Billion The cement, glass and ceramics sector, which closed 2021 with USD 4.8 billion in exports, is expected to reach USD 5.5 billion by year-end 2022. For 2023, the export growth target has been set at USD 6.2 billion. Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Clay Products Exporters Association (CCIST) held its 4th Champions of Exports Awards Ceremony, where Turkish Exporters Council (TEC) Chairman Mustafa Gültepe and CCIST Board Chairman Erdem Çenesiz outlined expectations in the cement, glass and ceramics sectors. At the ceremony where 69 awards were presented to 41 companies—those with the highest exports in 11 sub-sectors, the largest export growth, and the highest export unit prices in 2021—Mustafa Gültepe made the following remarks: "Cement, glass and ceramics are among our sectors with the highest localization rates. These sectors add value to our domestic resources and generate net foreign currency for our country. The sector closed 2021 with USD 4.8 billion and reached USD 5.2 billion in the first 11 months of this year. Thus, the USD 5 billion threshold has been exceeded for the first time. We aim to close the year above USD 5.5 billion." CCIST Board Chairman Erdem Çenesiz recalled that exporting companies in the cement, glass and ceramics sectors achieved USD 4.8 billion in exports in 2021 with 22% growth compared to the previous year despite challenging pandemic conditions, and thanked the exporters.

Stating that the export momentum continued in 2022, Çenesiz continued as follows:

"In the first 11 months of this year we achieved USD 5.2 billion in total exports. We recorded 25% growth in glass, 24% in cement, and 17% in ceramics. We expect this figure to reach USD 5.5 billion by year-end." Çenesiz emphasized that all sectors rank in the global top 10 in export and production, noting that in cement they are Europe's leading producer and the world's leading exporter; in ceramic sanitary ware they are Europe's leading producer and exporter; in ceramic coating materials they are Europe's second-largest producer and third-largest exporter; in flat glass production they are Europe's second-largest producer; in glass tableware production they are Europe's and the world's second-largest producer; and in glass container production they are Europe's and the world's fifth-largest producer.

Our growth target is USD 6.2 billion with 12% increase

Çenesiz also commented on 2023 as follows: "While international organizations do not foresee a global recession in 2023, they expect a significant slowdown in the world economy. In particular, the expected contraction in Europe's economy, our largest market, poses a risk to our export growth. However, with our quality production that complies with international standards and is environmentally conscious, we will continue to deepen our position in existing markets and expand into new ones. For 2023, when we will celebrate our Republic's centennial, we have set our growth target at USD 6.2 billion with a 12% increase."   Following the opening remarks, awards were presented at the ceremony in the categories of "Companies with Highest Exports," "Company with Highest Export Unit Price," and "Company with Largest Export Growth" for 2021.