"Turkish Industrialists Are Struggling With Difficult Conditions"

PLASFED Chairman Ömer Karadeniz said manufacturers are struggling to maintain production due to high interest rates and difficulties in accessing credit, which directly limits export capacity. Emphasizing that Turkish manufacturers are fighting difficult conditions and financial obstacles, Karadeniz stated, "Unless concrete steps are taken to clear the way for our sector, both our production and export targets face serious risk."

PLASFED Chairman Ömer Karadeniz noted that difficulties in accessing finance and the need for skilled labor are seriously hampering the sector's prospects, calling on authorities for urgent solutions.

Karadeniz drew attention to the financial obstacles facing Turkish plastic manufacturers competing internationally. He said high interest rates and difficulties in accessing credit are making it harder for manufacturers to maintain current production and plan long-term investments. Karadeniz stated, "Manufacturers cannot carry out investments in new machinery and technology because they cannot access financing, and they are forced to postpone R&D projects. This not only affects production, but also directly limits Turkey's export capacity and weakens our competitive strength in global markets."

Macroeconomic data confirms the situation manufacturers face
Noting that recently released economic indicators support the picture manufacturers are experiencing, Karadeniz said, "The manufacturing PMI data released in September remained in contraction territory again, showing that the slowdown in production continues. During the same period, PPI coming in at 33.29 percent year-over-year shows that cost pressures on producers have not eased. When high inflation combines with fluctuations in energy and raw material prices, the burden on manufacturers becomes even heavier. For this reason, we need a comprehensive policy approach that prioritizes not just access to finance but also macroeconomic stability. Steps must be taken immediately to reduce production costs for manufacturers, encourage investment, and strengthen the confidence environment."

Investment and production plans are being postponed
Karadeniz explained that manufacturers are facing major difficulties in maintaining production due to high interest rates and problems accessing credit, and noted that manufacturers face serious risks in long-term strategic planning as much as in daily production processes. Noting that businesses unable to access financing are forced to postpone investment and production plans, Karadeniz said, "R&D projects are being suspended. As a result, Turkey's export capacity is shrinking and our competitive strength in global markets is gradually declining. If urgent and comprehensive solutions are not brought to these problems, our sector will face serious losses."

"Turkish manufacturers are maintaining their resilience"
The PLASFED Chairman, also drawing attention to rising concordat applications, stated that structural reforms and financial support to clear the way for manufacturers are now unavoidable. Noting that steps taken through cooperation between government and private sector will strengthen both the sector's production and export capacity, Karadeniz said, "Despite the difficulties, Turkish manufacturers are maintaining their resilience. However, to look to the future with confidence, strong cooperation between government, the financial sector, and manufacturers is essential."