Türkiye is entering a brand new year and a brand new era. We are rapidly moving towards the goal of a Turkey that breaks away from the old habits of the economy, produces, exports what it produces, and ultimately has a foreign trade surplus. I hope that in a short time our country’s exports will surpass its imports and will succeed in making this permanent and sustainable. This goal is an extremely important issue for both us and the future of our country. If we cannot achieve this in this period, it may take decades for such an opportunity to come our way again. Therefore, it is vital that we continue the process without deviating from our path and never straying from our strategic goals.
When our country’s 10-year export/import data between 2010 and 2019 is examined, it can be seen that it has a foreign trade deficit of over 700 billion dollars. Although this figure was subsidized at that time by items such as tourism, overseas projects, and transfers sent by expatriates, it is no longer portable at this point. Our country must now avoid facing such risks in a global economy that has shrunk and become uncertain due to the pandemic. The production and investment of import substitution products should be supported in every sense, and items with export opportunities should be ensured to meet global markets. Discourses regarding branding and production of value-added products should be put into action, and concrete steps should be taken in this regard. The development opportunity of regional markets, especially Laleli, in this sense should definitely not be ignored. The further development of global showcases like ours, which have produced countless global brands from our country, and their ability to contribute more to our country should be among the priorities. We have to create together the climate that will carry us into the future and support a revolutionary economic transformation. It should not be forgotten that while our country’s ready-made clothing exports exceeded 20 Billion dollars after many years, the income of Louis Vuitton, a French brand, from the fashion industry alone in 2020 was 21.2 Billion Euros. In this context, processes should be facilitated and the way for brands and businesses with high potential should be paved. The main criteria on which our companies will be evaluated should be based on exports. Intensive support of sectors that make strong exports using very little foreign input, such as the ready-made clothing industry, can help us achieve our goal. Here too, regions such as Laleli come to the fore with its global experience and strong infrastructure in trade, logistics and accommodation.
We see that we have more work to do in every sense, especially in digitalization and global branding. Our country’s exports have the power and ability to make the sharp transformation that took place this year permanent. As a country and nation, we have to start an all-out production and export transformation campaign. This new economic system, called the “Turkey Model”, should bring us to a level of self-confidence that can successfully market our products even in the most remote markets. The current global economic platform is opening huge doors that we thought would not be opened for our country. If we feed our well-equipped industrialists and traders who have proven themselves on a global scale with an energetic and young generation that aims to produce in a socio-cultural sense, we will initiate a great change. I believe that this unity of power and belief, which will make history in the economy, will carry Turkey’s vision much further. In this way, our country’s welfare level will increase and we will realize our historical mission both regionally and globally much more effectively and successfully. I greet you with these wishes and wishes and hope that the new year will bring health, peace and happiness to you, our country and all humanity.
Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca
