Ready-Wear Apparel Sector Exports $38.3 Million

Gürkan Tekin, Chairman of the Board of the Mediterranean Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Association (AHKİB), affiliated with the Mediterranean Exporters Associations (AKİB), announced that in June they achieved exports of USD 38.3 million, representing a 25.3% increase compared to the same period last year. AHKİB Chairman Gürkan Tekin, stating that regional exports between January and June 2022 reached USD 201.9 million with a 21.9% increase, continued as follows: "By increasing existing export incentives by 25% within the framework of the Far Countries Strategy announced by the Ministry of Commerce, it will enhance the competitiveness of our sector in the US market, which is the world's largest ready-made clothing importer."

USD 523 million in exports to the US

AHKİB Chairman Gürkan Tekin, noting that the US, among the 18 target countries mentioned in the Far Countries Strategy, has recently been among the top target markets for the Turkish ready-made clothing and apparel sector, explained: "Trade diplomacy activities aimed at increasing the trade volume between Turkey and the US from USD 28 billion to USD 100 billion directly concern our sector. Specifically, our sector, which exported USD 1.1 billion to the US last year, expects positive results from negotiations aimed at reducing customs duties reaching up to 30% in this market. While this process continues, the Ministry of Commerce's announcement of the Far Countries Strategy, by increasing existing export incentives by 25 percentage points for sales to the US, which imports USD 103 billion annually in ready-made clothing and apparel, will strengthen the position of Turkish ready-made clothing and apparel exporters in this market. I believe that our sector's exports to the US, reaching USD 523 million with a 24.7% increase in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year, will be less affected by the tax disadvantages faced in this market thanks to the Far Countries Strategy incentives and will achieve significantly higher export performance."

76% of exports to European countries

"In the sixth month of the year, our Association realized 76% of its exports to European countries, reaching the highest values in the Netherlands, Spain and Germany markets. As AHKİB, we achieved exports of USD 9.6 million to the Netherlands with a 35% increase, USD 7.9 million to Spain with a 12% increase and USD 4.7 million to Germany with a 32% increase. During the same period, we achieved the highest increase in export volume in the Romanian market with a 1,608% increase and a value of USD 1.5 million. Romania was followed by the United Arab Emirates with a 401% increase and a value of USD 1 million, and the United Kingdom with a 182% increase and a value of USD 1.1 million. In June, 81% of our region's exports concentrated in three product groups. During this period, our Association marketed 4,812 tonnes of products in foreign markets, recording USD 18.8 million in women's outerwear with a 17% increase, USD 6.5 million in men's outerwear with a 52% increase, and USD 5.8 million in other ready-made goods (tents, sacks, etc.) with a 21% increase."