Turkish Chemical Industry Aims to Scale Up Through Localization Policy…

Haluk Erceber, Chairman of the Board of TKSD (Turkish Chemical Manufacturers Association), emphasized that over the last 25 years, countries without oil and natural gas have become world leaders in the chemical industry through successful projects involving skilled clusters and high technology. Erceber stated: "The Turkish chemical sector has the potential to become a center of attraction for international investors. As a sector, we need our government to approach the Chemport Project—a chemical cluster that will bring chemical producers together in the same location—as a project of national importance and to strengthen localization policies." The chemical industry, one of the locomotive sectors of Turkish exports providing employment to 300,000 people, holds approximately 1 percent of the world chemical market worth 3.5 trillion Euro. Operating with 75 percent imported raw materials and having only 1 percent of large-scale chemical producers, the sector achieved an 18.3 percent increase in exports during the first eight months of 2018 compared to the previous year. During the same period, the increase in imports was 9.6 percent. In the manufacturing sector, exports rose 5.1 percent during the first eight months compared to the previous year, while imports increased 3.9 percent. In August, the top 10 countries with the most exports were Egypt, Germany, Iraq, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, China, Italy, Greece and India, with the sector's August exports reaching USD 1 billion 380 million.

TURKCHEM 2018 International Chemical Industry Trade Fairs Expected to Attract 300 Direct Exhibitors from 20 Countries, Over 1,000 Companies and Company Representatives, and More Than 12,000 Professional Visitors from 70 Countries…

The chemical sector, aiming to advance Turkey's position as the third-largest export sector to higher rankings, focused on TURKCHEM 2018 International Chemical Industry Trade Fairs scheduled for 8-10 November at Istanbul Expo Centre to evaluate new market and cooperation opportunities. Cengiz YAMAN, General Director of Artkim Trade Fair Organization, describing TURKCHEM 2018 as Turkey and the EMEA Region's most comprehensive chemical platform held biennially, stated: "This year we will bring together 300 direct exhibitors from 20 countries with over 1,000 companies and company representatives and more than 12,000 professional visitors from 70 countries under the TURKCHEM 2018 umbrella at ChemShow Eurasia, ChemLab Eurasia and ChemTech Eurasia. To reach our target of becoming the world's 10th largest economy and achieving USD 500 billion in exports by 2023, we are committed to fulfilling our responsibility in the best manner. Professional buyers and participants from many target market countries such as the Middle East, North Africa, Turkic Republics, Russia, Ukraine and others will be at our trade fair. Additionally, we will organize a buying mission concurrent with our trade fair," he said.

"2023 Export Target Set for Chemical Sector is USD 50 Billion..."

TKSD Board Chairman Haluk Erceber, noting that Turkey's strategic location, high domestic consumption and its position as an energy transit hub with sustainable energy security hold potential to attract international investors' interest, stated: "Over the last 25 years, countries without oil and natural gas such as China and Singapore have managed to become world leaders in the chemical sector. We too can transition to high value-added production through high-technology projects and the Chemport Project, a chemical specialization cluster that will bring our manufacturing companies together in the same location. As a sector, we need our government to approach the Chemport Project—a chemical cluster that will bring chemical producers together in the same location—as a project of national importance and to strengthen localization policies." Chairman Erceber continued: "The 2023 export target for the chemical sector was set at USD 50 billion. For our economy to grow, we need exports along with domestic and national production. Through TURKCHEM 2018 International Chemical Industry Trade Fairs, which we are organizing in November in Istanbul and supporting as TKSD, we will connect our sector with new markets. Recent developments in foreign trade have reminded us once again of the importance of increasing the number and diversity of countries to which we export. Through TURKCHEM 2018, we are bringing the world's important brands and key buyers in the chemical sector to Istanbul for three days at our sector's doorstep," he said. While global total foreign trade volume stands at approximately 16 trillion, the chemical sector accounts for 25 percent of global trade volume with 4 trillion dollars. The chemical industry, Turkey's third-largest export sector with USD 16.1 billion in 2017, holds a 10 percent share in Turkey's total trade volume of USD 160 billion.

At TURKCHEM 2018 Trade Fair Events Held Biennially; Latest Scientific and Technological Developments in the Chemical Sector Will Be Discussed

TURKCHEM International Chemical Industry Trade Fairs will be held 8-10 November 2018 at Istanbul Expo Centre as 'ChemShow Eurasia: 8th International Specialty and Specialized Chemicals, General Chemicals, Petrochemicals and Chemical Intermediates Trade Fair', 'ChemLab Eurasia: 8th International Laboratory, Technology, Testing & Measurement Equipment, Auxiliary and Consumable Materials Trade Fair' and 'ChemTech Eurasia: 8th International Chemical Process and Automation Industry, Packaging, Recycling, Logistics, Occupational Safety and Environmental Technology Trade Fair' organized in 3 main categories. TURKCHEM 2018, the most comprehensive chemical platform in Turkey and the EMEA Region, the only and largest trade fair in the Eurasian Region, will host commercial and technical presentations covering the latest innovations and technologies in the sector through exhibition areas in 3 halls, presented by participating companies, academics and associations.