Exports from Ankara last year increased by 5.9% compared to 2022, reaching $12.3 billion.
According to the information compiled from the export statistics of the Ministry of Commerce based on the provinces where the companies are headquartered, Turkiye broke the export record in the history of the Republic with $255 billion 809 million in 2023.
Ankara’s exports during this period increased by 5.9% compared to 2022 and rose to $12 billion 264 million 514 thousand.
When we look at the distribution of the countries to which the city exports, it was the country to which it made the most exports with $1 billion 5 million 691 thousand. This country was followed by Germany with $956 million 159 thousand, China with $856 million 452 thousand, Romania with $627 million 700 thousand and Iraq with $477 million 922 thousand.
When exports are evaluated in terms of sector, “machinery and parts” ranked first in the capital’s exports with $1 billion 782 million 134 thousand. This sector was followed by “chemical substances and products” with $1 billion 688 million 652 thousand, “automotive industry” with $1 billion 476 million 121 thousand and “mining products” with $1 billion 79 million 904 thousand.
“An import substitution policy should be preferred in raw material production”
Seyit Ardic, President of Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO), drew attention to the importance of Turkiye closing last year with a record in exports in the history of the Republic, despite the contraction in global trade.
Stating that the country’s foreign trade deficit is at the level of $106 billion, Ardic said, “When our production increases, our foreign trade deficit increases, and when production weakens, it decreases. In order to get rid of this vicious circle, it is extremely important that we increase production with a higher domestic share and added value. An import substitution policy should be preferred in raw material production.”
Ardic stated that in order to reduce the foreign trade deficit, it is important to increase productivity with the level of technology.
Explaining that green and digital transformation should be carried out by giving importance to R&D and innovation, Ardic said:
“While our country’s exports increased by 0.6% compared to the previous year, Ankara increased its exports by 5.9%. I would like to express my gratitude to our Ankara industrialists, who never hesitate to take responsibility under difficult conditions and who contribute greatly to the production and exports of not only Ankara but also our country, for their successful performance.
The agenda of the industry in Ankara is now completely change. Our main goal will be to increase our export volume even further by reaching the point where we can produce technology and innovations at an international level.”
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz