Trade Minister Bolat: Textile and apparel sector ranks first in employment

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated that the textile and apparel sector ranks first in employment, saying, "Which state would give up such a golden goose?" Bolat also added that some customers who had shifted to the Far East have started returning to Turkey.

Scraper SystemJune 25, 2026, 02:45 PM

Trade Minister Bolat: Textile and apparel sector ranks first in employment

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat made important statements at the Textile-Apparel Sector Evaluation Meeting organized by the Merter Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MESİAD) in Güngören. Bolat emphasized that the textile and apparel sector ranks first in terms of employment.

Bolat stated that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, and high inflation, Turkey continued to increase growth, employment, and exports. Bolat noted that the total exports of the ready-made garment, textile, and confection sectors were $28.58 billion in 2019, reaching $34.455 billion in 2021 and $35.256 billion in 2022.

Bolat stated that the abnormal growth in 2021 and 2022 was due to the West turning to Turkey instead of China and the Far East because of COVID-19, saying, "It was due to the demand in the form of two years of orders with cash in advance." He emphasized that although external demand weakened in the following period, they continued to grow.

Customers who went to the Far East have started returning to Turkey

Stating that some manufacturers made negative statements in the face of the decrease in the temporary demand boom, Minister Bolat said, "Some statements and rumors that were never considered true were circulating, like 'This sector is finished, the state has given up on this sector.' After we took office, we found this issue on our agenda in June 2023."

Bolat stated that some customers who had gone to Far Eastern countries have started returning to Turkey. Noting that logistics costs have increased and doubts have arisen regarding supply, Bolat said, "We are in the most reliable, most successful manufacturing region. The closest logistics base, the most reliable supply base, the highest quality production base is Turkey. 'Let's start turning orders back to Turkey.' This trend has emerged in the last 3-4 months."

"Which state would give up a golden goose?"

Emphasizing that Turkey is an important producer and exporter country in ready-made garments and textiles in the world, Bolat stated that with exports of $31.7 billion including carpets and home textiles, they rank 7th in the world and 3rd among European Union countries. He stated that they rank first in production on the European continent.

Drawing attention to the fact that the domestic market is larger than exports, Bolat evaluated, "With a population of 86 million, 65 million tourists are purchasing. Expatriates come, 5 million per year. When we add the domestic market, we are talking about a sector worth $75 billion. The textile and apparel sector is also first in employment. Which state, which government would dare to give up such a golden goose?"

Bolat recalled the regulation implemented at the beginning of the year that ended the import of goods up to 30 euros from e-commerce platforms abroad via simplified customs declarations and stated that the European Union will implement the same regulation on July 1. He added that opportunities such as fair incentives, trade delegations, opening stores and warehouses, and logistics support are offered to manufacturers and exporters.

Trade Minister Bolat: Textile and apparel sector ranks first in employment