Contents

Tansu Kumru: “In 2023 we achieved an 8 per cent increase in export unit prices in dollar terms”
“The new goal is to become a hub for solutions and R&D”
“We must focus on the US, African and Middle Eastern markets”
“We are combating imports that create unfair competition”
Sector representatives developed ideas together

Having become the world’s production hub with a production and processing capacity of more than 4 million tonnes, Türkiye’s glass sector is growing through high-quality, value-added exports. The sector raised its glass exports, which stood at around 1 billion dollars in 2020, by 52 per cent to more than 1.6 billion dollars by the end of 2023. Tansu Kumru, Vice Chairman of the Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Soil Products Exporters’ Association, states: “This year, we aim to increase our exports of value-added products and to expand our influence in markets such as the USA, the Middle East and Africa, above all in Europe, our largest market. In addition, as the world’s glass production hub, our new goal is to increase both our export volumes and our unit prices with high-performance products.”

Türkiye’s glass sector, which continues its activities to increase exports under the TurkishGlass brand within the Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Soil Products Exporters’ Association (ÇCSİB), came together at the ‘Glass Sector Workshop’ held in Sapanca. The event was opened by ÇCSİB Vice Chairman of the Board Tansu Kumru, while Seyit Ardıç, Chairman of the Board of the Ankara Chamber of Industry, attended as guest of honour and delivered a speech emphasising the importance of the glass sector for our country. At the workshop, attended by member companies of the Association operating all over Türkiye, opportunities, challenges and proposed solutions in the sector were evaluated with the aim of increasing the exports of Türkiye’s glass sector.

ÇCSİB Vice Chairman of the Board Tansu Kumru

Tansu Kumru: “In 2023 we achieved an 8 per cent increase in export unit prices in dollar terms”

Referring to the export success achieved by the entire glass sector over the last four years, Tansu Kumru said: “We increased our exports, which stood at around 1 billion dollars in 2020, by 52 per cent to more than 1.6 billion dollars as of the end of 2023. Over the same period, we achieved an increase of more than 30 per cent in export unit prices in dollar terms. Looking at 2023 alone, the 8 per cent increase we achieved in unit prices in dollar terms shows that the share of value-added products in our exports is rising rapidly. Moreover, with a domestic value-added rate of 79 per cent, we are one of the sectors making a very important contribution to reducing our country’s current account deficit.”

“The new goal is to become a hub for solutions and R&D”

Stating that Turkish manufacturers are present in every field of glass activity, Kumru explained that, thanks to a production and processing capacity of more than 4 million tonnes together with high product quality, they have made Türkiye the world’s glass production hub, exporting to 175 countries. Kumru described their new goals as follows: “To carry our success into the future, we are continuing without pause our investments focused on technology and product development, reducing our carbon footprint, digitalisation and capacity expansion. We are not content with merely being a production hub; with a customer-focused approach, we are also working with all our might to create solutions for the products our export markets need and to become an R&D hub.”

“We must focus on the US, African and Middle Eastern markets”

Pointing out that diversifying export markets is as important as increasing the export share, Kumru said: “In order not to be affected by the stagnation in the European market, where we make the majority of our exports, we must focus on markets with high consumption such as the USA, and on developing markets such as Africa and the Middle East. As was the case during the pandemic, current developments in the global conjuncture and the shifting balance of competition between countries can open new doors for our sector. As a sector, we have the capacity, experience, product range and level of service to seize every opportunity in export markets.”

“We are combating imports that create unfair competition”

Noting that protecting domestic production against imports that create unfair competition is vital if the glass sector is to maintain its momentum, Kumru continued: “Although the glass sector is so well developed in our country, imports continue, particularly from countries with low energy costs such as China, Iran, Russia, Egypt and Bahrain. In 2023, 1.4 billion dollars’ worth of glass was imported into our country. As the glass sector, we continue to work in very close cooperation with our Ministry of Trade to combat imports that create unfair competition. The support of our Directorate General of Imports is also very valuable to us. The safeguard measures in force, the continuation of additional duties and the introduction of new measures as needed are of critical importance in ensuring that our sector does not lose its competitiveness.” Kumru also pointed out that natural gas and electricity account for a very high share of the production cost of glass, stating that the sector should be supported on energy costs in order to preserve its competitiveness and increase exports.

Sector representatives developed ideas together

Following the speeches, ÇCSİB Economic Adviser Dr Can Fuat Gürlesel gave a presentation entitled “Global and Turkish Economy 2024 Forecasts and Their Effects on the Glass Sector”. At the workshop, attended by nearly 100 sector representatives, idea development sessions were also held, moderated by trainer, author and speaker Fırat Çapkın.