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Turkey’s Western Mediterranean exports exceeded $2 billion for the first time

Western Mediterranean Exporters’ Association (BAIB) President Umit Mirza Cavusoglu stated that there was a first in the 53-year history of BAIB on October 21, 2021, and said, “For the first time, our regional exports exceeded the $2 billion limit. It reached $2 billion 10 million.” Compared to the export of $1 billion 470 million in the same period last year, there was an increase of 36.7%.

A historic success was achieved on October 21, 2021 in registered exports through the BAIB, which covers the provinces of Antalya, Isparta and Burdur. BAIB President Umit Mirza Cavusoglu and his management announced that, for the first time, the figure of $2 billion has been exceeded in the region’s exports, during their meeting with the members of the Economic Correspondents’ Association (EMD) Antalya Representative Office. Cavusoglu drew attention to the most important problems of the region’s exports, such as ports, railways, export records made through other unions that produce in the region, and tourism-based service exports amounting to $10 billion.

A FIRST IN 53 YEARS OF HISTORY

Noting that BAIB has a history of approximately 53 years, Cavusoglu said, “We are a union of 53 years and we have reached the figure of $2 billion for the first time. The full figure is $2 billion 10 million 429 thousand and we reached it as of October 21. We did not hope that we could catch this so quickly. Our estimations were towards the end of November. But with the serious support of all institutions and companies, we have reached $2 billion. Our next targets are much higher.”

‘WE SHOULD AIM FOR $4-5 BILLION’

Stating that $2 billion is actually a very small amount for three cities such as Isparta, Burdur and Antalya, Cavusoglu said, “Right now, we probably had to aim for $4-5 billion. But over the years, we could not achieve enough momentum due to many factors. Especially in the last year, we have been experiencing a serious increase in almost every sector and country. In terms of our region, two sectors come to the fore. Fresh fruits and vegetables and the marble-based mining sector make up 50% of our exports.”

CLOSE TO $2.5 BILLION FOR THE YEAR-END ESTIMATE

Explaining that the year-end forecast was also revised, Cavusoglu stated that while $2.4 billion was estimated 3-4 months ago, the new target is close to $2 billion 450 million and even $2.5 billion. Stating that they have started to talk about the 2022 target, Cavusoglu said, “Maybe it will be a little fuzzy, but we are targeting $3 billion. Of course, these are very difficult targets.”

REGIONAL ACTUAL EXPORTS $4-5 BILLION

Emphasizing that there is a significant amount that is produced in the region and exported through other unions, Cavusoglu said that according to the figures in TIM, the income of products produced and exported in the region is in the range of $4-5 billion.

TOURISM INCOME IS NOT VISIBLE IN ANTALYA EXPORTS

Drawing attention to the port and the railway, which has been talked about for nearly 130 years, as the two most important problems in front of the development of the region’s exports, Cavusoglu said that $5 billion in 4-5 years is not a dream. Explaining that the revenues of tourism, health and other service sectors as service exports are also registered to the Istanbul-based Service Exporters Association, Cavusoglu said, “We receive a very serious demand from the service sector saying, ‘We do business and earn money in Antalya, but why do we appear in Istanbul, we want to create our record in Antalya’. A unit for service exports can also be established within BAIB and we will forward these requests from the sector to the relevant authorities. When we look at the tourism and other service sectors, the real export of the Antalya region is approaching $15 billion.”

Source: Haberturk / Translated by Irem Yildiz

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