Representatives of the Turkish ceramics industry, which continue their activities with the Turkish Ceramics brand under the Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Soil Products Exporters' Association (CCSIB), came together at the "11th Ceramics Sector Meeting" held in Istanbul.
At the 11th Ceramics Sector Meeting, which was opened by Erdem Cenesiz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCSIB, current export and import data of the sector and developments in Turkey and the world were discussed.
Reminding that the ceramic industry exported 1.9 billion dollars in 2022, with a 15 percent increase in value compared to the previous year, Erdem Cenesiz said, “Our country, which is among the world's leading ceramic producers with both its production capacity and exports to 174 countries, started to 2023 when global uncertainties increase with the aim of maintaining the export level reached last year. However, if we evaluate the first five months of the year, the fluctuation in energy prices and the slowdown in the housing sectors as a result of the tight monetary policies implemented in our export markets, especially the USA, led to a decline in our exports. As a result, we exported 625 million dollars in the January-May period, with a loss of 27 percent compared to the same period last year.”
“This year the domestic market is more active than the foreign market”
Sharing his evaluations about the second half of the year, Cenesiz said, “We expect the domestic market to be more active than the foreign market due to new housing construction and renovation works in the earthquake zone and urban transformation activities throughout the country. Developments regarding other housing constructions will be guided by the economic policies to be implemented. Construction work may be expected to slow down, especially as a result of possible interest rate increases. Despite all these developments, we can maintain our export figures from last year, as we determined at the beginning of 2023. However, in order to compensate for these losses, an exchange rate policy is required in which exports will not be left behind” he said.
“Doğal gaz fiyatlandırmamız AB’deki rakiplerimizden yüksek olmamalı”
Çenesiz yeni hükümetten beklentilerini ise şu sözlerle aktardı; “Seramik sektörü gerek ekonomimize gerekse yalnızca bir bölgede değil ülkemizin dört bir yanında sağladığı istihdamla toplumsal refaha önemli katkı sunuyor. Türkiye ortalamasının üç katı katma değer üreterek, yüksek döviz girdisi sağlıyor. Ekonomimize ve toplumumuza sunduğumuz bu katkıyı hız kesmeden, yüksek bir ivmeyle devam ettirebilmemiz için doğal gaz fiyatlandırmamızın AB’deki rakiplerimizden daha yüksek olmamasını, ham madde arzındaki risklerin giderilmesini ve finansmana erişimi de kapsayacak şekilde orta vadeli politikalar oluşturulmasını bekliyoruz.”
“Our natural gas pricing should not be higher than our competitors in the EU”
Cenesiz conveyed his expectations from the new government with the following words: “The ceramics industry makes a significant contribution to both our economy and social welfare with the employment it provides not only in one region but all over our country. It produces added value three times the Turkish average and provides high foreign exchange income. In order to continue this contribution to our economy and society without slowing down and with high momentum, we expect our natural gas pricing to be no higher than our competitors in the EU, to eliminate risks in raw material supply and to establish medium-term policies including access to finance.”
Stating that the problems in the supply of clay, which is one of the important raw materials of the ceramics industry, that started with the Russia-Ukraine war, continue even though they have decreased, Cenesiz said, “There are quality clay, casting sand and aggregate deposits in the Sile region. We can create beautiful recreation areas by first using these places as raw materials, then filling them as excavation dumping grounds, and finally afforesting them".
Industry representatives shared solution suggestions
At the meeting, Rector of Istanbul Topkapi University, Economist Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin gave information to the sector representatives about “World and Turkish Economy”, and Economic Advisor Dr. Can Fuat Gurlesel about "The Effects of Economic Developments in the World and Turkey on the Ceramics Industry". At the event, nearly 100 company representatives from approximately 30 companies in the ceramic coating materials and ceramic sanitary ware sectors held simultaneous sessions and exchanged ideas on the future of these sectors and the solutions to the problems encountered.
The main demand of the representatives of the ceramic industry, which is an export-oriented sector, at the meeting was to diversify credit opportunities in export financing and provide easier access to finance.
