The Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association (ITHIB) held a prestigious award ceremony honoring 564 of Türkiye’s top textile exporters, recognizing their resilience and contribution to the country’s economy despite global headwinds.
Hosted by ITHIB Chairman Ahmet Öksüz, the event was attended by Deputy Minister of Trade Ö. Volkan Ağar, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, and industry leaders. Türkiye’s textile industry concluded 2024 with $11.5 billion in exports, demonstrating adaptability amid shrinking global demand and rising production costs.
The top 10 exporters receiving awards included:
- AK-PA Tekstil İhr. Paz. AŞ
- AKSA Akrilik Kimya San. AŞ
- KORDSA Teknik Tekstil AŞ
- ORMO İth. İhr. AŞ
- FPS Turkey Ambalaj San. ve Tic. AŞ
- DGS Dış Tic. AŞ
- Kipaş Paz. ve Tic. AŞ
- Zorlu Dış Tic. AŞ
- Toraman Teks. San. ve Tic. AŞ
- Zorluteks Tekstil Tic. ve San. AŞ
Chairman Öksüz emphasized that adaptability and strategic transformation are key to surviving and thriving in today’s volatile market. “We are not just producing—we are producing smart,” he said, pointing to increased investment in technical textiles, branding, and sustainable innovation.
Öksüz highlighted Türkiye’s stronghold in the U.S. market, aiming to rise from the 8th to the top 5 textile suppliers to the U.S., where exports surpassed $780 million in 2024. He also called for a revival of the Preferential Trade Agreement with the U.S., once discussed under the Trump administration.
Looking ahead, Türkiye’s textile sector aims to expand its global footprint with trade delegations and national exhibitions across Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East, while leveraging opportunities in post-sanction Syria to reduce production costs and activate idle capacities.
Öksüz concluded with a call for urgent action on domestic production protections, fair competition, and strategic trade policy reforms to keep Turkish textiles globally competitive.
