Eskinazi shed light on their focus on export markets, particularly targeting Far East countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. He mentioned that they had been working extensively on trade with these countries. Their exports to Asia and Oceania reached $1.1 billion within 11 months. In terms of Far East countries, their exports to China remained steady at $267 million, Japan showed a significant 40% increase at $122 million, South Korea at $48 million, Hong Kong at $24 million, and Taiwan at $10 million. They also achieved an 85% growth in exports to India, reaching $178 million, and exports of $70 million to Pakistan, and $32 million to Bangladesh. The South Asian region witnessed a 40% growth in Sri Lanka. Eskinazi emphasized their goal to establish new business connections, especially in the United States, the world's largest importer, following the "Strategy for Distant Countries" with the support of the Ministry of Trade.
Eskinazi emphasized that despite the efforts with Far East countries, the European Union (EU) would continue to be Turkey's primary trading partner. He reported a 12% increase in exports to EU countries, reaching $7.664 billion in the January-November 2022 period. Eskinazi added that Europe had a 52% share in their exports, totaling $8.783 billion. He addressed the challenges posed by the EU's Green Deal, particularly the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which requires industries to adapt. To mitigate the impact, he stressed the importance of supporting carbon-intensive sectors in their transformation and enhancing technical capacities.
Highlighting the significance of Turkey's geographical position, Eskinazi mentioned that 55% of their exports were carried out by sea. He pointed out that Turkey's strong design teams, flexible production capabilities, and quick deliveries contributed to their success in the industry. The pandemic underscored Turkey's importance due to increased emphasis on proximity in trade relations. He mentioned that Turkey's proximity played a vital role during the Russia-Ukraine conflict as well. Eskinazi cited a report by McKinsey that indicated European companies' intent to source supplies from nearby regions, where Turkey held a 29% share.
Eskinazi also highlighted the need to strengthen the logistics sector and implement measures to reduce losses and waste in the food supply chain. He revealed plans for a Logistic Center in Kemalpaşa, İzmir, which would enhance the region's logistics capabilities. Additionally, he addressed the recent drop in global freight costs, which signified a normalization in the world economy.
In conclusion, Eskinazi underscored that Turkey's export achievements were the result of a combination of long-term strategies and efforts. He reiterated Turkey's commitment to leveraging its geographical advantage and strong logistics infrastructure to further boost its exports in the future.
