Mersin Free Zone, which is one of the most important trade centers of the Eastern Mediterranean and hosts 416 companies, reached an average trade volume of $2.5 billion in 2020.
Mersin Free Zone Founder and Operator Inc. (MESBAS) Chairman Ali Avci told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the region established in 1986 is Turkey’s first free zone.
Stating that they are the only free zones with a dock directly connected to the sea among the free zones, Avci said, “Mersin Free Zone has increased its capacity by 25% by handling 1.7 million tons of goods in 2020 with the services provided with modern loading and unloading equipment on its 650 meters long docks.”
Stating that important investments have been made for more efficient trade, Avci said:
“The concrete floor, fenders and lighting system of the Free Zone port area have been renewed, and given a modern port appearance, the port mechanical maintenance workshop has been renewed. The Free Zone roads and water infrastructure, which have been worn out due to the passage of freight vehicles for many years, have been renewed. A modern production building of 5 thousand 415 square meters was built on the Free Zone ‘JJ’ island and allocated for production purposes. A security camera system and a recording and backup unit have been installed at the Free Zone main road junctions. In addition to these, the walls of the enclosure were renewed and a generator system was installed to prevent energy cuts.”
Provides employment for 11 thousand people
Stating that the regulations made strengthened the efficiency of Mersin Free Zone, one of the important trade centers of the Eastern Mediterranean, Avci said, “As of today, a total of 416 companies, of which 302 domestic and 114 foreign, operate in the Mersin Free Zone. The annual average trade volume of Mersin Free Zone has reached $2.5 billion and 11 thousand people are directly employed. With these aspects, the importance of our country has continued to be one of the centers of foreign trade and employment.”
Avci pointed out that the trade volume realized in the 18 free zones operating in Turkey was $21 billion in 2020 and stated that Mersin received a 12% share in this number.
Avci also touched upon the countries and sectors where the region does business the most and said:
“The United States of America, Iraq, Iran, Ecuador, Spain, China, Italy, Syria, and Germany took the first place in the countries with the highest trade from Mersin Free Zone. 69% of the trade volume was industrial products and 31% agricultural products. The trade-in machinery and metal, chemistry, ready-made clothing, food, medical and packaging sectors came to the fore in the region. In addition to the versatile trade in the region, steel pipe, ready-made clothing, packaging materials, medical products, and food products are also at the forefront. In Mersin Free Zone, 682 different products are traded to 112 countries. These figures show the versatile efficiency of trade with world countries.”
Ali Avci, Chairman of the Board of MESBAS, stated that they aim to make the existing indoor and outdoor areas available at full capacity until the end of 2021, and that they aim to increase the support to the trade and logistics sector, especially production, thanks to the increasing service demands.
Pointing out that new investment demands could not be met due to the allocation of all investment areas in Mersin Free Zone, Avci concluded his words as follows:
“Since there is no other area that is suitable for expansion in case of border with Mersin Free Zone, it is necessary to start working on the determination and allocation of a minimum 2 thousand decares of treasury land within the city boundaries as close to the city center and access roads as possible. It is important that this issue is first put on the agenda by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality and included in the master development plan studies. If the Free Zone grows, trade volume and employment will increase, and it will contribute significantly to Mersin and our country.”
Source: AA / Translated by Bazaar Times Team