"Turkey Could Become a Manufacturing Hub"

PLASFED Chairman Ömer Karadeniz, stating that Turkey is an industrial nation and we cannot afford to abandon manufacturing, said, "Turkey's future lies in industry and production."

Karadeniz, drawing attention to financial sustainability so that investors can see ahead, noted that development cannot occur without manufacturing. Karadeniz said that we are a society that knows manufacturing very well, and that if conditions are created, Turkey could become a manufacturing hub.

Plastic Industry Federation Board Chairman Ömer Karadeniz, saying that as a societal consciousness centered on people and manufacturing is passed down from generation to generation, the industry will continue to strengthen, stated that Turkey's future lies in industry and manufacturing.

Emphasizing the importance of financial sustainability for investors to see ahead, Karadeniz stated that we are a society that knows manufacturing very well, and that if conditions are created, Turkey could become a manufacturing hub. Pointing to the importance of financial sustainability for investors to see ahead, Karadeniz noted that development cannot occur without manufacturing. Saying that the only way to increase our level of development is through manufacturing, Karadeniz said, "As is known, Turkey is not currently an oil-producing nation."

"Manufacturers struggle to access finance"
Karadeniz, saying that Turkish manufacturers are finding it difficult to obtain sufficient support in accessing finance, stated, "Turkish manufacturers experiencing capital constraints have unfortunately been forced to reduce production. Our industry, particularly the plastics sector, which is dependent on imports for raw materials and wishes to continue production and employment, is looking for support in accessing finance. Today, many of our manufacturers are saying they face difficulties in accessing finance and have become unable to produce."

"We cannot afford to abandon manufacturing"
PLASFED Chairman, informing that the path for our country to reach its medium and long-term objectives lies in mobilizing for a qualified and value-added production life, said, "Whatever the conditions of our country, we cannot afford the luxury of abandoning manufacturing and investment. We should focus on production and technology by using our limited financial resources in the most effective way."

Proposing the manufacture of innovative products to provide higher added value in production and exports, Karadeniz drew attention to the need to find a way to reduce costs without compromising on quality and to increase added value. Noting that the sector needs to produce in accordance with European standards and environmentally compatible manufacturing to increase competitive production and export opportunities in global markets without compromising on quality, Karadeniz stated that Turkish manufacturers' greatest strength is manufacturing.

Stating that Turkish manufacturers, who have the capability to write new stories under all circumstances, demonstrate great sacrifice in carrying out their manufacturing, Karadeniz emphasized that this situation is not sustainable.

Manufacturing sector weakening
Karadeniz, saying that Turkish manufacturing sector's February 2025 PMI data of 48.3 remained below the 50 threshold, indicating contraction in the sector, noted that this decline in manufacturing is concerning. Emphasizing that PMI data remaining continuously below the threshold for 11 months straight is a result of the condition manufacturers find themselves in, Karadeniz said, "As we always say, development cannot occur without manufacturing. We expect all policies centered on manufacturing to be implemented so that the industry can continue to strengthen."