TÜMMER/Shimşek: We Reduced Natural Stone Imports from $250 Million to $32 Million

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TÜMMER/Shimşek: We Reduced Natural Stone Imports from $250 Million to $32 Million

Foreks - The mining sector increased its exports to 5.5 billion dollars with a 5% rise during the 11-month period of 2024, despite the recession in export markets, high inflation in the Turkish economy, and low exchange rates. The Aegean Mine Exporters Association has created an intensive marketing calendar for 2025 to ensure the sustainability of this increase in exports. Speaking at the “Mining Sector Meeting” organized by the Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Muğla Marble Association, Aegean Mine Exporters Association President İbrahim Alimoğlu announced that they would organize a national participation in Xiamen Fair, China. Alimoğlu stated, “We will continue to produce and export under the motto 'Mining is Our Life' in 2025,” and added, “Alongside the National Participation Organization at the China Xiamen Fair, we are also continuing our preparations to organize sectoral trade delegations to the USA, Poland, the UK, Romania, Serbia, Australia, and Kazakhstan in 2025.” He also mentioned that they have begun preparations to launch a sustainability-focused Ur-Ge project in the natural stone sector in 2025 and added that they will hold the Amorphous Natural Stone Project and Design Competition, which they paused in 2024, again in 2025.

TÜMMER President Şimşek; “We have reduced natural stone imports from 250 million dollars to 32 million dollars” Hanifi Şimşek, President of TÜMMER, noted that Turkey had imported natural stones amounting to 250 million dollars in previous years and that they held talks with the government to curb this import. He highlighted that, as a result of these efforts, a 25% tax was imposed on block imports from Iran at the beginning of 2024. Şimşek shared that they also prevented the use of natural stones imported from Egypt in projects carried out by TOKİ in earthquake-affected areas, stating, “We have reduced Turkey’s annual natural stone imports, which reached 200-250 million dollars, down to 32 million dollars. During all these efforts, 18 civil society organizations acted in unison within the Mining Sector Council.” Şimşek forecasted, “The year 2025 will be a challenging year,” emphasizing that the first half of 2025 will be particularly tough. He also stressed that resolving the uncertainty in Syria is vital for the Turkish mining sector.

Karakuş: “The mining sector in Muğla employs 10,000 people” Bülent Karakuş, President of the Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underscored that Muğla is one of the leading cities in the mining sector due to its mineral reserves, emphasizing that the mining sector directly employs 10,000 people in Muğla. Karakuş stated, “The marble sector plays a significant role in the economic development of our region; with its employment and export potential, it makes great contributions to both Muğla and our country.” He remarked that the “Mining Sector Meeting” organized by the Aegean Mine Exporters Association will further enhance the export potential of the Muğla mining sector and concluded: “As the Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we continue our efforts without interruption to ensure that our members can be more competitive in international markets. In this regard, our collaboration with the Aegean Mine Exporters Association adds strength to our power.”

Muğla’s mining exports reach 250 million dollars Hüseyin Işık, President of the Muğla Marble Association, stated that the mining sector is the second-largest exporter in Muğla, providing information that Muğla’s official records show a mining export of 122 million dollars in 2023. He explained that when including exports made from Istanbul, Izmir, Denizli, and other provinces, due to unregistered shipments, the total mining export reaches 250 million dollars. Işık added, “Muğla is a province that has a trading surplus. The mining sector significantly contributes to this position.”

We want a Marble Specialized OSB Işık also mentioned that they aim to establish a Marble Specialized Organized Industrial Zone for the development of the mining sector in Muğla, concluding: “The Marble Specialized Organized Industrial Zone is essential for Muğla. We need it to prevent distorted industrialization and environmental issues, contribute to the planned development of the city, guide urbanization, use resources rationally, have a healthy, reliable infrastructure, possess common treatment facilities, and enhance efficiency in resource utilization.”

Financing opportunities for exporters introduced During a session moderated by I. Cumhur İşbırakmaz, Secretary General of Aegean Exporters' Associations, Turkey Trade Bank Deputy General Manager Zafer Seyar, Turkish Eximbank Aegean Regional Manager Gülom Timurhan, and General Manager of Export Development A.Ş. Fatih Tuğrul Topaç detailed the solutions and opportunities they provide for financing exports to the participants.

Ibrahim Alimoğlu, President of the Aegean Mine Exporters Association, and the EMİB Board of Directors visited Muğla Governor Dr. İdris Akbıyık during their trip for the second “Mining Sector Meeting.” During the visit, they exchanged viewpoints on increasing production and exports in the mining sector.