While Turkey is advancing to $200 billion of exports, Gaziantep has achieved an export of $4 billion 825 million in the first half of the year, an increase of 40% compared to the same period of the previous year. Fikret Kileci, Head of the Southeast Anatolian Exporters’ Associations (GAIB), said, “Our goal at the end of the year is to export $10 billion in Gaziantep. This means a 25% increase in exports compared to last year.”
GAIB Liaison Office in Kilis was opened with the participation of TIM President Ismail Gulle and the leading exporters of the region, and Southeast Anatolia Exporters’ Associations (GAIB) Coordinator President Fikret Kileci evaluated the region’s first half-year export figures and explained their future targets.
“WE ARE TAKING FIRM STEPS TOWARDS OUR GOALS”
Stating that exports in the Southeastern Anatolia Region continue to increase significantly, Kileci said, “Despite the worldwide negativities during the pandemic period, our exports are increasing especially in Gaziantep. Our regional target at the end of the year is $12 billion, and $10 billion in Gaziantep. This means a 25% increase in exports compared to last year. In the first 6 months of the year, the region’s exports reached $6 billion, while Gaziantep’s $5 billion. In exports, the first 6 months pass slowly, the last 6 months pass faster. We are taking firm steps towards our achievable goals.”
KILIS’ LARGEST MARKET SYRIA: IRON AND CEMENT EXPORTS HAVE INCREASED
Pointing out that Kilis is a unique province and its biggest market is Syria, Kileci said, “The most important product group that Syria buys is cement and iron. There is a significant increase in the exports of these products because Syria, which is in restructuring, is involved in important initiatives. Kilis is a very important province for investors who want to do business with the Middle East and Syria. Especially the Polateli and Amanos Tunnels are important for the region. Our distance to the sea is shortened, our logistics costs are decreasing. Thanks to the Amanos Tunnels, important successes will be achieved in the provinces of the region such as Adiyaman, Kahramanmaras, Sanliurfa and Kilis under the leadership of Gaziantep.
INCREASED THE EXPORTS OF KILIS BY 55% IN 6 MONTHS
Saying that Kilis exported $27 million in 6 months, Kileci said, “There is a 55% increase in exports in the same period compared to last year. $54 million of exports were made in the city in the whole last year. As a result of the studies, the next increases will be faster.”
THE REGION WILL BECOME LOGISTICS CENTER FOR INVESTORS ABROAD
Stating that there is no room left to grow in the Gulf, Kileci said, “Thanks to the tunnels, Iskenderun will be our port center, and the area behind the Amanos Mountains will be a production base under the leadership of Gaziantep. At the same time, it will become a logistics center for foreign investors. The healthiest and safest region in this geography is our region. The healthy, safe and controlled region that the investors around the world need is our region. We can attract foreign investors to the region, establish their own logistics centers and enable them to sell products to the Middle East.”
“WE ARE COMPLETELY CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OF LIABILITY OFFICES”
Noting that the region is a center of trade and production, Kileci said, “We are working hard to facilitate and spread the work. That’s why Kilis is very important to us. We opened the liaison office. We opened the one in Adiyaman on Saturday, we are completely changing the structures of the liaison offices in the region. Our only goal is to carry the exports in the country to a certain point.”
EXPORT IS OUR JOB, WE DO IT RIGHT
Stating that the share of GAIB in the Southeastern Anatolia Region’s exports is 6%, Fikret Kileci said, “2 years ago, this share was 4.2%. I believe that we will increase our share when we complete our work. We use our location correctly. As the regional representative of TIM, the umbrella organization of Turkey’s exports, export is our job, we export. We direct the export somehow. Our other stakeholders support us wholeheartedly, this is how we work in the region. The chamber of industry, the chamber of commerce and the stock market support us in export. This is our understanding in the region, and it will continue in this way.”
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz