AHKİB Re-elects Gürkan Tekin as President

AHKİB Chair Gürkan Tekin Re-elected The ordinary general assembly meeting of the Mediterranean Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Association (AHKİB), which is affiliated with the Mediterranean Exporters Unions (AKİB), was held. As a result of the meeting, Gürkan Tekin was re-elected as AHKİB chair. The 2021 Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of the Mediterranean Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Association took place in the Mediterranean Exporters Unions Conference Hall. Following the ordinary general assembly with a single slate, Gürkan Tekin received all 33 votes cast and renewed his mandate.

Renewed Mandate by Capturing All 33 Votes

Gürkan Tekin, who had been serving as chair, was re-elected as president following the general assembly. At the AHKİB 2021 Ordinary General Assembly Meeting, all 33 valid votes cast went to Gürkan Tekin in the general assembly chaired by Tanfer Sevener from CYT Tekstil San. Tic. Ltd. Şti. Gürkan Tekin, re-elected as chair, made statements following the election. In his statement, Tekin emphasized that AHKİB has been a gateway to the world for 39 years for companies that produce high value-added branded products in the Mediterranean region, differentiate themselves through original designs, and stand out in global competition by continuously improving their capabilities in marketing and shipping channels.

"The Momentum of Growth Will Continue"

In his statement, Tekin also assessed Turkey's overall sector and regional exports for 2021. He noted that sector exports achieved an 18.3% increase compared to the previous year in 2021, reaching USD 20.25 billion in export value, while regional exports reached USD 356.5 million. Tekin expressed his gratitude to AHKİB member exporters and all sector stakeholders for their contribution to reaching these figures. Chair Tekin stated, "Fashion giants that supplied heavily from China and Far Eastern countries in the European Union market, which accounts for 70% of our sector's exports, before the pandemic have turned to Turkey, which stands out positively from competitors with flexible production capability and fast delivery times, due to the challenges of dependence on a single source, increased shipping costs, and difficulties in obtaining containers. I believe this momentum of growth will continue, and in 2022 our Turkish ready-made clothing and apparel sector will make much greater contributions to our country's USD 250 billion export target."

Expressed Expectations for Increased Financial Opportunities and Support

Tekin noted that despite all the challenges created by the pandemic in economic life and international trade, the ready-made clothing and apparel sector has made efforts to protect its gains in world markets and reach new markets. Tekin said, "To better capitalize on the opportunities our country has captured in the global arena, particularly in the European market, to protect our gains and make them sustainable, our priority should focus on environmentally friendly production, design and branding, and digitalization. Compliance with European Green Deal strategies aimed at taking eco-design measures in accordance with sustainability in textile and apparel products, eliminating the use of harmful chemicals in production, and directing consumers toward sustainable apparel products is no longer a choice but a necessity. Therefore, developing the technical capacity of our companies in clean production methods and raising their awareness level is vital for our sector." He stated that they expect increased financial opportunities and support from the Credit Guarantee Fund, Eximbank and all financial institutions in matters such as green production, design, branding and qualified labor.

Will Focus on the United States and African Countries as Target Markets

Underlining that in the new period they will focus on the United States and African countries as target markets in exports, Tekin said, "As AHKİB, we will continue to stand by our exporters in the years to come as we have done so far, and continue to protect the rights and interests of our sector and companies. In order to achieve the targets of our country and sector, we will develop new projects that will contribute to AHKİB member companies through high value-added production and exports. We will continue without slowing down in national participation trade fair organizations and sectoral trade mission activities in which all our members can participate, just as we did before the pandemic."

10-Member Board of Directors Determined

The AHKİB Board of Directors, chaired by Gürkan Tekin on behalf of Doteks Tekstil ve Gıda San. Tic. Ltd. Şti., comprised representatives from the following companies: Adalı Teks. ve Kon. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti., Atlas Giyim San. Tic. A.Ş., Aytek Konfeksiyon Tic. Paz. Ltd. Şti., B Fashion Teks. Mak. Hed.Eş. Oyun. Saat. Dış Tic. Ltd. Şti., Birgi Birleşik Giyim İhr. Dış Tic. A.Ş., Ekrem Sağlam Madammode Teks. San ve Tic. Ltd. Şti., Hayri Uğur Tekstil A.Ş., Y.H.G. Teks. İnş. Gi. Orm. Ürn. Hay. Tar. Ürn. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti, Novo Nef Konf. Teks. Ayak. İp. Deri Mef. Dan. Tur. İnş. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti., Ordema Teks. Paz. San. Tic. A.Ş.