MUSIAD Announces Roadmap to Increase Textile Exports
Fatih Canpolat, Chairman of he Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD) Textile, Leather and Ready-to-Wear Sector Board, announced a 6-item roadmap that will increase textile exports. In the report, it was pointed out that target markets need to be diversified.
MUSIAD Textile Sector Board has published the Textile Sector Report. The report, which concretely reveals the current situation of the Turkish textile industry and the opportunities it faces, drew attention to the need to diversify target markets at a time when the economic recession in Europe negatively affected exports. Fatih Canpolat, Chairman of MUSIAD Textile, Leather and Ready-to-Wear Sector Board, said, “Turning to markets such as African, American and Asian countries can increase the export potential of the sector. Opening stores in growing markets such as Nigeria and South Africa, or collaborating with platforms such as Amazon and Alibaba in the USA and Asia to reach a wider consumer base can be concrete steps in this regard.”
“New Technologies Should Be Used for Green Production”
Drawing attention to the need to accelerate green production processes and focus more on digitalization, Mayor Fatih Canpolat continued his words as follows:
“The sustainability standards of the European market are an important factor that directs the Turkish textile industry to green production. The use of new technologies, such as environmentally friendly painting techniques, sets an example to increase Turkey’s competitiveness. Establishing more advantageous collaborations with large retail chains in Europe by obtaining a green production certificate can also make significant contributions to the sector. Cross-border e-commerce and digitalization is an area that offers serious opportunities for the sector. It is seen that Turkish textile brands can increase their revenues by selling through digital platforms without being affected by the economic slowdown in Europe. For example, delivering Turkish textile products to a wider audience with the ‘Made in Türkiye’ label on Amazon or other digital platforms is a concrete step to seize these opportunities.”
“Technical Textile Export Can Be a Critical Step”
Stating that the Turkish textile industry can gain a stronger position in global markets by turning to high value-added products such as technical textiles, President Fatih Canpolat said, “Focusing on technical textiles and value-added products is another important strategy for the sector. Turkey’s increase in exports in areas such as high-strength technical textiles for the aviation industry or automotive and medical textiles clearly shows the potential in these segments. For example, focusing on the production and export of medical textiles or automotive airbag fabrics can be a critical step in terms of sustainable growth.”
“Sectoral Training Programs Should Be Supported”
Underlining that the training of qualified workforce and supporting sectoral training programs are critical for sustainable growth in this process, Fatih Canpolat continued his words as follows:
“Another major problem facing the industry is the lack of skilled labor. The inadequacy of trained personnel to use the new generation digital weaving machines limits the competitiveness of the sector. In order to solve this problem, it is of great importance to open programs on digital textile technologies in vocational high schools and universities and to organize joint internship programs with the private sector. Exchange rate fluctuations and cost pressures increase costs in the textile industry. Focusing on local production, especially in basic raw materials such as cotton, can reduce dependence on exchange rates. In addition, geopolitical tensions and natural disasters are among the other factors that negatively affect the sector. For example, after the February 6 earthquake, it is necessary to diversify production facilities regionally and create a supply chain that is more resistant to risks.”
