Minister of Customs and Trade Bülent Tüfenkci stated that the Customs Union will be updated by the end of the year at the Stars of Ready-to-Wear Awards Ceremony:

 We have relations of mutual interest with the EU, if we are competitive they will oblige the order

 Minister Tüfenkci: We want our relations with the EU to continue on a rational basis. Together with the Ministry of Economy, we are following our steps on updating the Customs Union. We will launch our work in mid to late 2017.

 İHKİB President Tanrıverdi: In 2015, we had 40 companies exporting over 50 million dollars. We increased this number to 49 in 2016. Despite the war, the coup attempt and all the negativities, our sector continued to grow and increase its value-added production.

 The stars of the ready-to-wear sector, which exported 17 billion dollars in 2016, received their awards at a glorious ceremony attended by the Minister of Customs and Trade Bülent Tüfenkci.

 In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Tüfenkci said that the government has not and will not compromise on fiscal discipline under any circumstances. Underlining that they aim to reduce the weight of the state in the economy and grow under the leadership of the private sector, Tüfenkci emphasized that they will continue on their way with the same understanding.

 Our relations with Europe must continue on a rational basis

 Tüfenkci, who also evaluated the European buyers canceling their visits to Turkey, said the following: "In textiles and ready-to-wear clothing, there may be some cancelations due to this or that reaction, we may experience some difficulties. But be sure of this, our relations with Europe are a relationship of mutual interest. We want our relations to continue on a rational basis. Together with the Ministry of Economy, we are following the steps to update the Customs Union. We will launch our work in mid to late 2017.

 This will go a long way towards improving trade. Do not be demoralized. If you make quality production, if you deliver on time, if you are competitive with the price, they will give you the order. Rest assured, there is no problem."

 Reminding that they are working on a project to unify laboratories affiliated to ministries, Tüfenkci added that they will gather all laboratories under the customs administration.

 The sector continues to grow and increase value-added production

 Hikmet Tanrıverdi, President of the Istanbul Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters' Association (İHKİB), emphasized that the ready-to-wear sector is one of the stars of the Turkish economy in terms of production, employment and value-added exports.  Tanrıverdi underlined that the sector provides Turkey with an average net foreign currency inflow of 15 billion dollars every year. Emphasizing that they displayed a successful performance despite the terrorist incidents and coup attempt in 2016, Tanrıverdi continued as follows:

 "Despite all kinds of difficulties, we closed 2016 with exports of approximately 17 billion dollars, with a loss of only 2 percent compared to 2015. Our friends did more than their part by taking their suitcases and going door to door when European buyers canceled their visits. Of course, this effort, this labor and the sweat of their brow had to be rewarded. In total, 2,166 companies received plaques and achievement awards. We awarded 49 companies and 9 foreign trade capital companies with exports over 50 million dollars with platinum plaques. We awarded gold plaques to 119 companies and 1 foreign trade capital company with exports between 20-50 million dollars, and silver plaques to 182 companies with exports between 10-20 million dollars. I would like to underline one issue in particular here. In 2015, we had 40 companies exporting over 50 million dollars. This number has increased to 49 in 2016. With one of our foreign trade capital companies passing the threshold, we have added 10 new companies to our list of those that exceeded the 50 million dollar bar in exports. Our sector continued to grow and increase its value-added production even in the most difficult period."

 We will close 2017 with exports of over 17 billion dollars

 Hikmet Tanrıverdi emphasized that they aim to increase exports in the ready-to-wear sector from 23-24 dollars per kilogram to over 50 dollars. Explaining that the sector, which is in the process of transition from garment production to fashion industry, has this potential with its infrastructure, know-how and design power, Tanrıverdi said the following about the export performance in the first quarter of 2017: "Despite all the devoted efforts of us as İHKİB Management and our exporter friends, we felt the reflections of the developments in the second half of 2016 in the first two months of this year. In the first quarter covering the January-March period, we are 4 percent behind compared to last year. In the three months of 2017, we exported 4 billion 76 million dollars.  I am happy to say that we turned the needle upwards again in March. In March, we increased by 1.8 percent compared to the same period last year. I believe that we will show a higher performance in the second half of the year and close 2017 with exports of over 17 billion dollars."

 Nearly 100 of our brands have 3 thousand stores abroad

 Hikmet Tanrıverdi stated that nearly 100 brands from Turkey have around 3 thousand stores abroad and added that in many countries of the world, shopping mall investors specially invite Turkish brands. Drawing attention to the intensified campaign to defame the Turkish ready-to-wear sector last year, Tanrıverdi added that as İHKİB, they made great efforts to protect the image of the sector and the country against these unfair accusations.

 Büyükekşi: We export cotton for 1.5 dollars and ready-to-wear garments for 20 dollars

 Mehmet Büyükekşi, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), underlined the importance of value-added exports in reaching the 2023 targets. Büyükekşi said, "The way to increase added value is through design, brand, innovation and R&D. Last year, we exported cotton at 1.5 dollars per kilogram. If we turn cotton into yarn, we sell it for 3 dollars. When we turn yarn into fabric, the price per kilogram increases to $7.5. When we produce clothing from fabric, we export it for 15-20 dollars," he said.

 In addition to platinum, gold and silver plaques, 674 companies exporting between 2.5-10 million dollars were awarded bronze plaques and 1132 companies exporting between 500 thousand and 2.5 million dollars were awarded certificates of achievement.  The stars of the 17 billion dollar exports spent a colorful night with Linet's songs after the award ceremony.

Top 10 manufacturing companies in apparel exports

LC Waikiki Mağazacılık Hizmetleri Tic. A.S.
Şık Makas Giyim Sanayi ve Tic. A.S.
Erpa Ready Wear Domestic and Foreign Trade. A.S.
Koton Mağazacılık Tekstil Sanayi ve Tic. A.S.
Eroğlu Giyim Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş.
Baykanlar Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.
Tayeks Foreign Trade and Textile Industry Inc.
Taypa Textile Clothing Industry and Trade Inc.
Aster Textile Industry and Foreign Trade Inc.
Saide Tekstil Sanayi ve Tic. A.S.
Foreign trade capital companies receiving Platinum Plaque

TGS Foreign Trade Inc.
Birgi Birleşik Giyim İhracat Dış Ticaret A.Ş.
Taha Pazarlama ve Mağazacılık A.Ş.
Cross Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.
Pergamon Status Foreign Trade Inc.
Taha Kargo Foreign Trade Inc.
İleri Giyim Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş.
Turkmen Group Import Export Foreign Trade Inc.
Etik Foreign Trade and Textile Industry Inc.