Chairman of the Board Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SATSO), A. Akgün Altuğ evaluated the current foreign trade data.
Assessing the April export data released by the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Chairman Altuğ stated the following:
“Sakarya’s exports in April 2025 amounted to 373 million USD, marking a 31.7% decline compared to the same month last year and a 6.3% decrease compared to March. Our cumulative exports in the first quarter of the year approached 1.6 billion dollars.
Although we closed the month with a decline, our Hazelnut and Products, Aquaculture and Animal Products, Air Conditioning Industry, Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals sectors closed the month with significant increases compared to last year. In total, 19 sectors succeeded in increasing their exports on a percentage terms.”
Exports to 60 Countries Increased
We have recorded an increase of 100 percent to 36 countries, including the USA, and an increase of more than 50 percent to 10 countries. We extended our exports to 60 countries. This month we exported to 16 regions where there had been no exports last year. We observe notable growth in our exports especially to Slovenia, Romania and Italy.
Exports-to-Imports Coverage Ratio at 140%
According to the March foreign trade data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute, our province recorded an export-to-import coverage ratio of 140% in March. We had a foreign trade surplus of more than 320 million dollars in the first 3 months. If we generally analyze the decline in April exports, it is estimated that this decline is due to the contraction in demand in the European market in Sakarya's automotive sector and the periodic changes in the production and supply plans of the companies.
Tax Inspection at OSB Entrance and Exits
As we have consistently emphasized, the business world strives to produce added value for the country’s economy, regardless of conditions. We have repeatedly stressed exporters should be supported in these diligent efforts.
The announcement by our Minister of Finance, Mr. Mehmet Şimşek, that tax inspections will be enhanced in Organized Industrial Zones and at the entrances and exits of metropolitan cities has caused uneasiness among our producers and exporters and negatively affected the motivation of our companies operating in OIZs. These inspections have negatively impacted the motivation of companies operating in the OIZs. However, many of the companies that have been awarded tax prizes operate in these zones, and organized industrial zones are already disciplined production areas where informality is almost impossible.
Visa Problems Must Be Resolved
In addition, our business world continues to face ongoing visa crises. Even businesspeople who have completely fulfilled the procedures are now facing visa refusals. People who have been able to get visas without any problems for years are being rejected senselessly. Many of our bureaucrats, including our TOBB President, are continuing their initiatives on this topic and our country, which is one of the biggest trade partners of the European Union, should not be in this position. In terms of the China-US trade tensions, although initiatives towards the US market are gaining momentum, the visa is a serious obstacle to this."
News Date : 7/5/2025