Exports from free zones in Turkiye in 2023 increased by 10.7% on an annual basis, reaching $12.7 billion.
According to the written statement made by the Ministry of Commerce, exports from free zones, which amounted to $11.4 billion in 2022, increased by 10.7% last year to $12.7 billion. The amount of exports from these regions was calculated as $9.8 billion in 2021, $7.7 billion in 2020 and $8 billion in 2019.
Last year, exports to the European Union (EU) increased by 11%, reaching $6 billion, and exports to North America increased by 27%, reaching $1.7 billion.
The number of domestic companies operating in free zones was recorded as 1563 and the number of foreign companies was 545. Employment in 19 free zones, where a total of 2 thousand 108 companies operate, increased by 6.9% and reached 97 thousand 588.
While the Aegean Free Zone made the most exports with $2.8 billion, 5 free zones exported over $1 billion.
Exports of Istanbul Industry and Trade Free Zone increased by $388.9 million and reached $1.3 billion. The region in question became the free zone that increased its exports the most.
The rate of production-related activity licenses issued in free zones increased by 1.8 points to 43.1%. In these regions, the number of domestic activity licenses was 2,205 and the number of foreign licenses was 775, while a total of 2,980 activity licenses were issued.
52.4% of the total exports from these regions consisted of medium-advanced and high technology class products.
In the statement, it was stated that free zones will continue to be turned into “export bases” with high production, employment and added value.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz