Berke Icten, President of the Turkish Footwear Manufacturers Association, said that the sector increased its income despite the decrease in exports in terms of units in 9 months of the year.
Icten told the AA reporter in Konya, where he came for the opening of the “Nobel MASTER SHOES Shoes and Bags Fashion Fair” held on October 26-29, that Konya ranks third in the country in shoe production and contributes to the economy with $35 million of exports.
Pointing out that the fair in Konya will also contribute to exports, Icten stated that this organization, held after many years, will bring new markets.
“Our exports are at the level of approximately $920 million”
Icten pointed out that there was a decline in European and global markets due to the recession and said:
“Despite all the difficulties, according to the 9-month data of the year in the shoe industry, although there is a slight decrease in our exports in terms of quantity, we are still positive in terms of value. We can say that there is an increase in value, even if it is 3-4%, compared to the previous year. Rather than these cheap shoes, we have succeeded in exporting value-added, higher products per kilo. Our exports are approximately $920 million.”
Global brands increase their efficiency in production
Stating that Turkiye’s shoe production capacity is 550 million pairs, Icten said:
“With this production capacity, we are the largest production center in Europe and the 6th in the world. We are the country that exports approximately 380 million pairs of our production capacity. We hope that this figure will increase in 2024. Global brands are currently making new investments in Turkiye. A sports shoe company increased its production in Turkiye to 7 thousand pairs per day. Another global sports brand based in Europe is also taking the initiative to produce in Turkiye.”
Icten added that the sector’s employment is 350 thousand.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz