Southeast Turkey Exports Reach $6 Billion

Southeast Exports Hit USD 6 Billion June exports from Southeast Anatolia increased 5 percent year-on-year to USD 1,059,325,000. Southeast Anatolia Exporters Associations (GAİB) released figures on the region's June exports. June regional exports rose 5 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching USD 1,059,325,000. Gaziantep completed June with exports of USD 922,965,000.   These figures represent the highest June level for both Gaziantep and the region. GAİB Coordinator Chairman Ahmet Fikret Kileci stated: "With the past month included, our region, which exports to a total of 190 countries, continues its steady growth by increasing product diversity in the export market day by day. In this month, where we have reached the highest level among all June months, I extend heartfelt gratitude to all our exporters who dedicate themselves to exports, use reason as their guide, and draw strength from their labor for the contributions they make to the regional and national economy."

USD 6 Billion Exports in Six Months

Sharing the cumulative export figures for 2022, Kileci stated: "In the January-June 2022 period, our region achieved exports of USD 6,033,000,000, representing a 10.5 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. During the same period, Gaziantep recorded exports of USD 5,195,000,000, representing an 8 percent increase compared to the previous year." Noting that June set records in terms of the number of exporters and variety of products exported, Kileci continued: "During June, our region conducted exports through 2,548 companies, while the number of companies exporting from Gaziantep was calculated at 1,813. With these figures, both our region and Gaziantep achieved their highest June in terms of number of exporters. Particularly with our region's locomotive city Gaziantep at the forefront, we continue to take pride in the success of our exporters who reach out to the world from our region's soil and whose numbers grow every day."

Most Exports to Iraq, US and Syria

Among the countries with the largest share in Southeast Anatolia's exports, Middle Eastern countries rank first with 39.1 percent, EU countries rank second with 17.7 percent, and African countries rank third with 16.4 percent. Emphasizing that exports were made to a total of 190 countries between January and June 2022, Kileci explained: "Iraq, the US, Syria, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Iran, Libya, Djibouti and Israel are among the leading countries in our region's exports. Among the most exported product groups are machinery carpets, pastry products, yarns, fabrics, milling products, plastics and plastic products, cereals, legumes, oilseeds and their products, carpets, chemical substances, and wood and forest products."

Gaziantep Maintains Its Position

Over the past 12 months, Gaziantep continues to rank as Turkey's 5th largest exporting city with USD 10,465,000,000 in exports. Noting that Gaziantep's export-to-import coverage ratio stands at 127.2 percent, GAİB Coordinator Chairman Fikret Kileci concluded his remarks as follows: "With the recorded export figures, Gaziantep, the leading city of our region, continues to serve as an example for our country through foreign trade data. Our primary objective is to advance Gaziantep, which possesses the rich commercial heritage of our ancient past, to higher ranks in the list of provinces with the highest exports in our country." Chairman Kileci also added that the most exported products from Gaziantep are textiles and raw materials, cereals and legumes, oilseeds and their products, carpets, chemical substances, and wood and forest products. In June 2022, Chairman Kileci also shared export figures for other provinces affiliated with GAİB, announcing that Kahramanmaraş recorded USD 137.7 million in exports, Mardin USD 86.3 million, Malatya USD 32.7 million, Diyarbakır USD 24.7 million, Şanlıurfa USD 18.8 million, Kilis USD 8.2 million, and Adıyaman USD 5.4 million.