Mediterranean Exporters’ Associations (AKIB), which contributed $16 billion 161 million to the country’s economy in 2023, aims to increase export values with the new markets it will open this year.
According to the information compiled by the AA correspondent from AKIB data, AKIB, which is responsible for 8 unions in Mersin, Adana, Hatay, Kayseri and Karaman, made exports to 211 countries and regions last year.
The Union contributed $16 billion 161 million to Turkiye’s total exports of $255 billion 809 million in 2023.
Mediterranean exporters, who contribute to the country’s economy with their exports in the chemicals, iron, grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, textiles, furniture, aquatic products and ready-made clothing sectors, aim to reach more markets in the new season.
AKIB Secretary General Mehmet Ali Erkan told the AA correspondent that the earthquakes on February 6, centered in Kahramanmaras, affected 2023 exports.
Stating that they started to recover after the wounds of the earthquake were healed, Erkan stated that they reached significant export figures despite the problems experienced.
Explaining that global contractions also affect the union’s exports, Erkan said, “There is a great global problem in the world. There is a constant contraction in demand. The contraction in demand affects our companies greatly. Problems occur when there is a contraction in Europe and developed countries. Added to these were the wars in geographies close to our region. That’s why we had some problems.”
Erkan stated that exporting companies affiliated with AKIB closed 2023 with minimal losses despite all these negativities.
“We are embarking on new searches”
Emphasizing that they are working on new markets this year, Erkan continued as follows:
“There is a target set by our President and our minister. As you know, according to the medium-term program, we have exceeded the export target of $255 billion in 2023. They announced the target as $267 billion. In order to achieve this goal, we, as AKIB, will do our best to increase our share within this framework. There may be a contraction in the world, but we will do our best to get a larger share of the contraction. I hope it will be a good year. We are embarking on new searches. Our goal is to take our current export figure even further, and I believe we will achieve this.”
There is an increase in the number of companies becoming members of AKIB
Stating that they have many projects for companies within AKIB, Erkan said that the number of members, which was 21 thousand two years ago, has now exceeded 26 thousand.
Erkan added that they are doing important work to direct potential companies to export.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz