TGSD’s New Presidents: Toygar Narbay and Dr. Ümit Özüren

The Turkish Apparel Manufacturers Association (TGSD), the largest non-governmental organization in Turkiye’s third-largest export sector, the ready-to-wear industry, held its 25th Ordinary General Assembly Meeting. At the first meeting of the new board of directors, Toygar Narbay and Dr. Ümit Özüren, who had previously served on the board, were elected as co-presidents.

The association noted in a statement that the sector, with a total production of 27 billion dollars and an investment volume exceeding 15 billion dollars, is experiencing the most difficult period of the last 40 years. To overcome this challenging phase, the industry is focusing on innovation, efficiency, sustainability, digitalization, design, branding, and diversifying market and sales channels.

“Turkish Ready-to-Wear Exports Have Reached Approximately 18 Billion Dollars.”

In a statement made on behalf of the new board of directors of TGSD under the leadership of Toygar Narbay and Dr. Ümit Özüren, it was emphasized that the Turkish ready-to-wear sector has written a significant success story by overcoming many global economic, social, and political crises. The statement said, “In 1970, Turkish ready-to-wear exports amounted to only 4 million dollars, and today, they have reached approximately 18 billion dollars. Over the past 55 years, thanks to the accumulated know-how in the textile and ready-to-wear sectors and the investments made in all parts of the supply chain, Turkiye has become the second fully integrated supply chain in the world, after China. In addition to export-based production, the ready-to-wear sector’s total production volume reached 27 billion dollars, with 9 billion dollars produced for the domestic market. This production has also made a significant contribution to the Turkish economy by preventing a considerable amount of imports. In 2024, the sector created a foreign trade surplus of 13.5 billion dollars. The total investment made by our sector in the country over the last 15 years has surpassed 15 billion dollars.”

The statement also shared information about the sector’s average export unit value per kilogram, which stands at 15.3 dollars—making it the highest export value per kilogram after the jewelry and defense industries. “The ready-to-wear sector, which employs around 600,000 people, has managed to maintain its share of the global ready-to-wear trade at over 3.45%, despite going through the most challenging period of the last 40 years. When compared to the country’s 1.08% share of global trade, the importance of our sector becomes even clearer,” it was stated.

New Management Sets Goals

The management under the leadership of Narbay and Özüren outlined the goals for the new period under the TGSD umbrella, which are focused on four key areas: guiding companies through transformation, strengthening the sector’s image in the public eye, conveying the sector’s problems and demands in the simplest form to the economic authorities and bureaucracy, and improving national and international sectoral relations. This will help increase the sector’s share of global trade and regain its competitiveness, as well as contribute to processes such as innovation, efficiency, sustainability, digitalization, design, branding, and diversifying market and sales channels.

Supporting the Generational Transition of Family Businesses

One of the key projects planned for the new period is the Horizon 2040 strategic plan, which will shape the sector’s long-term goals. The TGSD Development Academy, designed as an online information platform to guide corporate governance, sustainability, and innovation within the sector, will be launched this year. Proactive efforts will also be made with “Young TGSD” to strengthen intergenerational communication in family businesses, which make up nearly the entire ready-to-wear sector, and ensure a smooth succession process.

Emphasis on a Collaborative Work Culture

After the two consecutive terms of the presidency (2021-2025) by Ramazan Kaya and Sanem Dikmen, the TGSD’s new term will maintain the two-presidency board structure. The statement noted that this approach is a successful example of collaborative decision-making and task-sharing, given the scale of challenges the sector faces. It was also emphasized that this model can encourage cooperation within the sector and serve as an example for other fields. In the 25th Term Board of Directors of TGSD, one-third of the members are women, and one-third are under 40 years of age.