Paint Industry Workshop Held

The third sector workshop organized by İKMİB was held for the paints and coatings sector on 11-13 October 2019. Current information was shared at the workshop on research and development, incentives, state support, raw materials, financing, domestic production, new export markets and human resources. Conducted under the moderation of Prof. Dr. Emre Akin, the workshop brought together 10 working groups composed of participants to conduct joint problem-solving sessions on sectoral solutions in the paints and coatings industry, current issues, regulations such as excise tax, measures needed to increase exports and future perspectives. Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin delivered a presentation on developments in the global economy, changes and trends in global trade and the near future of Turkey's economy. Within the framework of the workshop, four main topics were addressed: Market, Capacity, Supply and Logistics.

İKMİB Chairman of the Board Adil Pelister,

"As the chemical sector, we are Turkey's second-largest exporting sector. This year we aim to achieve USD 20 billion in chemical exports and, within the scope of 2023 targets, USD 25 billion in chemical exports. As the chemical sector, we have USD 72 billion in imports. We will export USD 20 billion this year. Of the remaining USD 52 billion, we use approximately USD 20 billion as heating, electricity and natural gas. Since we provide the remaining USD 32 billion to other sectors as semi-finished products or raw materials, we need to correct this perception. We must change the perception of chemicals with the support of the paints and coatings sector." he said. Pelister continued: "The global volume of the paints and coatings and raw materials sector was approximately USD 160 billion as of 2018. This volume is expected to reach approximately USD 200 billion within ten years. Our country captures approximately 2 percent of this volume. However, as a producer we are in the top five in Europe. As of 2018, our sector exports are approximately USD 1.2 billion." he said.

Stating that the İKMİB Paints and Coatings Committee is continuing its work on paints product classification, Pelister said, "This work occupies a very important place in revealing our actual export figures and determining our sector size. We expect participation and contribution from you exporters in our Committee work." he said.

Pelister mentioned that they have signed a protocol with UPS and Turkish Airlines Aviation Academy regarding the transport of chemical substances that closely concern the chemical and paints and coatings sectors. "In particular, we were experiencing cost and time difficulties in sending samples of hazardous chemicals by cargo. Within the scope of the protocol we signed, İKMİB member company representatives can carry out sample shipments by taking the Dangerous Goods Rules (Category 1,2,3,6) Training from Turkish Airlines Aviation Academy and benefiting from the advantageous prices offered by UPS. Turkish Airlines Aviation Academy will provide a 5-day training course. The company representative who receives the training will obtain an IATA certificate upon completion of the training and UPS will provide shipment of cargo prepared under that person's responsibility. It will be both more cost-effective and allow for fast deliveries within 1-2 days. Additionally, we as İKMİB made a decision in our Board of Directors. İKMİB will cover half of the training fee for the first 100 İKMİB member company representatives who apply for this training." he said. At the workshop, the following views were discussed: the importance of examining target markets in South America, Nigeria and especially the Far East and East Asia, conducting work on a product classification basis in particular, giving importance to training, developing human resources according to the sector's needs, establishing container lines related to logistics and supply, keeping logistics networks domestic and, at the same time, working together with other sectors to support the creation of sustainable pricing policies.