Posted by meb at July 17th, 2008

Turkey’s year-on-year exports surpassed $125 billion and have reached the target for this year, a state minister announced yesterday.

Exports rose 35 percent between Jan. 1 and July 15, State Minister Kürşad Tüzmen told the Anatolia news agency. Industrial products exports reached $64 billion in the first half of the year, Tüzmen said, adding that the iron and steel sector reported the greatest rise, with an increase of 69 percent.

The vehicle and supplier industry ranked first for the first six months of the year, with a $15.5 billion export value, Tüzmen noted. Other sectors at the top include iron and steel manufacturers with $10.5 billion, the ready-wear and apparel sector with $9 billion, chemical materials and products with $7.9 billion and electronic products with $5.2 billion.

Textiles and raw materials, machinery and components, iron and non-iron metals, cement and soil products, mining products, wood and forest products, and the cereal, legume and oil seed sectors all reported exports over $1 billion, Tüzmen said.

Between Jan. 1 and July 15 agricultural exports rose 28 percent, while industry exports rose 36.6 percent and mining exports rose 35.7 percent, Tüzmen added.

Success of exporters

During the same period, Turkey exported $19 billion more compared with the previous year, the minister said. “The exports implemented between Jan. 1 and July 15 of last year amounted to $53.5 billion. This year exports supplied $72.5 billion during the same period,” he added.

Tüzmen said exports for the last 12 months reached $125 billion, meaning Turkey reached its target in terms of year-on-year exports for 2008. “This is the success of our exporters. Despite the exchange rates, our exporters managed to do the best they can. Therefore, I refer to them as ‘heroes.’ They struggled and managed not to lose their market shares and open new markets despite tough conditions,” he said. “All the exporters worldwide appreciate Turkish exporters, which we hear from managers and businessmen of the countries we visit. We are proud of the situation.”

The only drop in exports was witnessed in the oil and olive oil sector, which was a result of seasonal issues, Tüzmen said.
source: Turkish Daily News