New Target from Turkey: 'Distant Countries Strategy'

Turkey Sets New Target: 'Distant Countries Strategy' With the 'Distant Countries Strategy', exports to 18 countries will be quadrupled. Countries located more than 2,500 km away were selected according to specific criteria for the targeted market list. Turkey aims to increase its share of global trade through the 'Distant Countries Strategy'. In this direction, 18 countries located more than 2,500 km away from Turkey, with global imports exceeding USD 60 billion, and from which Turkey captures less than 1 percent of imports, have been identified as target markets. Turkey is determining new strategies to increase its share in global trade. Within this scope, the 'Distant Countries Strategy' seeks to leave no untapped markets. The 'Distant Countries Strategy' introduction program, launched by the Ministry of Commerce to increase exports to distant countries, was held at the Dolmabahçe Working Office. Trade Minister Mehmet Muş stated that exports to the 18 countries identified under the strategy program aim to be quadrupled and raised to USD 80 billion. He continued his statement as follows: "We aim to deliver our export products to the farthest points in the world and increase the recognition of the Turkey brand. In this direction, we closely monitor current conditions, changing needs and demands, and proactively update our export policy tools."

Target: USD 250 billion in exports

In his remarks, the Minister noted that exports reached USD 225.2 billion in 2021 with a 32.8 percent increase, and continued as follows: "Our exports have been the driving force of growth. In the first half of this year, our exports rose to USD 125.9 billion with a 20 percent increase, continuing to positively affect our macroeconomic indicators. With this strong performance, we are confident that we will reach the USD 250 billion export target indicated by our President for year-end."

18 target countries selected

The details of the Distant Countries Strategy and the countries identified as targets were explained as follows: "We have identified 18 target countries located more than 2,500 km away from Turkey, with global imports exceeding USD 60 billion, and from which Turkey's import share is below 1 percent. These countries are: from the Americas—USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Chile; from Asia—China, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam; from Africa—South Africa and Nigeria; and from Oceania—Australia. These countries, which account for 64 percent of the world economy, make up 47 percent of global goods imports and 35.6 percent of global service imports. With these volumes, the identified countries offer significant potential for developing Turkey's trade on a mutually beneficial basis. With our strategy, we aim to raise Turkey's share in the imports of these countries, which represent more than half of the world economy, to 1 percent—our average share in world exports—as a first phase. Through the Distant Countries Strategy program, we aim to increase Turkey's share in global trade and, accordingly, increase high value-added goods and services exports." Under the strategy plan, exports to the 18 identified countries, which averaged USD 20 billion in 2018-2020, are targeted to quadruple and exceed USD 80 billion. Additionally, alongside our goal of increasing exports, we prioritize improving the global recognition of Turkish products and services, strengthening Turkey's position in global value chains. Through the actions we have put forth, we will guide the consolidation of Turkey's key role in the global economy—from finance to cultural services, from information technologies to logistics networks—and bringing our economic and commercial cooperation with these 18 countries to the highest level.

We will highlight the 'Made in Türkiye' brand

With the strategy, we will create a "Market Entry Guide" for the 18 countries. Through these guides, we will provide our companies with information on market dynamics for each country, investment opportunities, regulations, and roadmaps for establishing companies and doing business in these countries. In our strategy, we will highlight the "Made in Türkiye" brand. For the 18 countries included in our strategy, we are increasing our current export support by 25 points. We will establish working groups on integrating SMEs into supply chains in distant countries and design market-driven marketing strategies in niche sectors.