TİM Regional Export Meetings' Final Stop: Denizli
The sixth edition of the TİM Regional Export Meetings program was hosted by the Denizli Exporters Association (DENİB).
Organized by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), the sixth “TİM Regional Exporters' Meeting” took place in Denizli with DENİB as the host. Following previous meetings in İzmir, Trabzon, Mersin, Bursa, and Gaziantep, this time the program brought together exporters in Denizli, with attendance from TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, DENİB Chairman Hüseyin Memişoğlu, TİM Board Members, presidents and executives of associations within DENİB, as well as numerous representatives of exporting companies.
The meeting, held at DENİB's Service Building, addressed exporters' access to financing resources, solutions to challenges encountered in export processes, and strategies to strengthen regional exports.
“Growth in production and exports has slowed”
In his opening remarks, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe noted that they organize meetings across Anatolia's various cities to directly identify exporters' issues and develop solutions. He reminded the audience that, following İzmir, Trabzon, Mersin, Bursa, and Gaziantep, Denizli marked the final stop of this year's program.
Touching upon Türkiye's medium- and long-term targets, Gültepe stated that under the Medium-Term Program (OVP), the export target for 2025 had been revised from 280 billion dollars to 273 billion dollars, while the 2028 target was lowered from 375 billion dollars to 308 billion dollars. He emphasized that this demonstrates a slowdown in the growth pace of production and exports.
Highlighting their overarching goal since taking office of positioning Türkiye among the world's top 10 exporting nations, Gültepe said: “Three years ago, we had targeted double-digit growth rates and had indeed achieved this potential. However, the implemented economic programs, high inflation, and global fluctuations have slowed our momentum in both production and exports. The revision of figures has therefore become inevitable.”
“Industry-specific support is needed”
Gültepe underlined that in the past two and a half years, the balance between interest rates, exchange rates, and wages had been disrupted. Despite inflation climbing to 33 percent, the exchange rate increase remained at 21 percent, raising costs and particularly weakening competitiveness in labor-intensive sectors. He added that high interest rates have also hindered industrial investment. “Industry-specific support is needed. Yet, we believe that with the decline of inflation, Türkiye's appetite for investment will rise again,” he said.
He further explained that İhracatı Geliştirme A.Ş. (Export Development Inc.), established to ease exporters' access to financing, has contributed significantly to sectors alongside Eximbank, and with Türk Ticaret Bankası joining this structure, it has now begun providing services to exporters as well. Gültepe noted that the bank is expected to reach 15 branches by year's end, and as its capital base strengthens, its mission as the “bank of exporters” will become even more entrenched.
Stressing that TİM supports exporters through general trade, procurement and sectoral delegations, fairs, Ur-Ge activities, sustainability initiatives, and various projects, Gültepe remarked: “Türkiye needs growth driven by production and exports. This is how we can elevate our country's prosperity. With the vision we have laid out, we are determined to foster Türkiye's growth through production and exports.”
“While textiles' share declined, diversity expanded”
In his speech at the program, DENİB Chairman Hüseyin Memişoğlu announced that the city achieved 4.4 billion dollars in exports in 2024. He emphasized that exports spanned 25 sectors and nearly 3,000 different product groups. “Last year, 200 new exporting companies joined us, and our product diversity significantly expanded,” he said.
Recalling that in 2010 the Denizli Textile and Apparel Exporters Association was restructured into DENİB, Memişoğlu highlighted that at the time, textiles accounted for over 80 percent of total exports, whereas today this figure has dropped to around 30 percent. He noted that cable ranked second, iron and non-ferrous metals third, and that exports of food and marble were increasing steadily. “This picture demonstrates how strong Denizli is in exports with its product diversity. In 2024, our exports are in surplus compared with the same period last year. However, in textiles—where employment is most intense—there has been an approximately 3 percent decline. We hope to compensate for this loss with year-end orders,” he remarked.
“We continue to add value to exports”
DENİB Chairman Hüseyin Memişoğlu also underscored that they are undertaking significant projects in branding, sustainability, and e-export. He stated that the domain turkishtowels.com had been acquired and a certification system was being developed to strengthen the Turkish Towels brand, and that international promotional campaigns had been launched in cooperation with Turkish Airlines.
He explained that UR-GE projects continue in the machinery, home textiles, and food sectors, while consultancy services are provided to companies on carbon footprint calculations. Responding to growing demand, a second State Aids Branch has been established with priority given to e-export. Memişoğlu added that through DENİB Academy activities and various design competitions, they continue to contribute added value to Türkiye's exports.
Exporters informed on financing opportunities
Following the opening speeches, the program continued with the session “Exporters Ask,” during which TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe and DENİB Chairman Hüseyin Memişoğlu listened to exporters' challenges and solution proposals. Subsequently, representatives from Türk Eximbank, Türk Ticaret Bankası, and İGE A.Ş. delivered a presentation on “Financial Supports for Exporters.” The program concluded with visits by TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, together with TİM and DENİB officials, to factories operating in the region.
Türk Ticaret Bankası Denizli Branch now serving exporters
As part of the program, the opening of Türk Ticaret Bankası's Denizli Branch, located within the DENİB Service Building complex, was also held. In his speech at the ceremony, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe stressed that Türk Ticaret Bankası would serve Türkiye's export-oriented development vision.
Expressing their commitment to working towards the vision and goal of positioning Türkiye among the world's top 10 exporting countries, Gültepe stated:
“To reach this goal, we must invest in new and high-tech ventures, modernize our existing facilities in line with current conditions, and turn the twin transformation—digital and green—into an opportunity for our country. For all these efforts, exporters' access to financing at affordable costs and on long terms is now more critically important than ever. Based on this need, through İhracatı Geliştirme A.Ş., we have introduced Türk Ticaret Bankası to our export family. This bank will provide our exporters with direct, swift, and favorable financing support, while also contributing to our production capacity and our export-oriented development vision. As it facilitates exporters' access to financing, our bank will operate like a solution partner, offering alternative answers to collateral-related challenges.”