Turkey eyes over $190B in exports

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey aims to exceed $190 billion in exports in 2020, the head of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) said on Tuesday.

The country's exports, which were around $30 billion in 2000, were $180.5 billion last year, Ismail Gulle noted during the opening ceremony of the 16th International Istanbul Furniture Fair (CNR IMOB).

Gulle said the furniture sector's exports amounted to $3.5 billion in 2019 -- an increase of 10.2% -- while the country's overall exports rose 2.04% year-on-year in 2019.

He stressed: "The furniture sector's target is $10 billion for 2023, we are working for this target."

The sector enjoys a competitive structure and high capacity in the global market, he added.

Gulle underlined that the Turkish government always supported exporters and provided for their needs.

Nurettin Nebati, the deputy Turkish treasury and finance minister, said the furniture sector was one of the rare net exporter sectors of the country.

Touching on economic issues in 2018 and 2019, he said Turkey's recovered in such areas as its currency rate, CDS risk premiums, interest rates, confidence index, foreign trade and Borsa index.

He underlined: "Turkey increased its exports while the world narrowed last year."

The six-day CNR IMOB kicked off on Tuesday and is expected to host 150,000 domestic and foreign visitors with over 750 participant companies.

The fair, organized by CNR Holding and Federation of Furniture Associations (MOSFED), is forecasted to generate $2 billion trade volume.