TİM Meets Exporters In Bursa
The fourth session of the TİM Regional Export Meetings was held in Bursa, hosted by the Uludağ Exporters Associations (UİB).
Organized by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), the fourth session of the “TİM Regional Export Meetings” was hosted in Bursa by the Uludağ Exporters' Associations (UİB). Following previous meetings in İzmir, Trabzon, and Mersin, the event brought together exporters from Bursa. The program saw the participation of TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, TİM Deputy Chairmen, chairpersons and executives of the unions under UİB, along with numerous representatives from exporting companies. Within the scope of the event, issues faced by exporters and their sectoral expectations were thoroughly discussed.
“We aim to contribute more to our country through shared ideas”
Speaking at the meeting, Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) Chairman Mustafa Gültepe defined the purpose of the regional meetings as fostering an environment for consultation, promoting unity, and developing collective solutions to challenges in order to contribute to the national economy. Emphasizing the significance of Bursa in the context of Türkiye's exports, Gültepe stated: “In 2024, exports from Bursa approached 17 billion dollars. As we all know, the automotive sector—Türkiye's largest export industry—accounts for the largest share with 7.7 billion dollars in exports. It is followed by the apparel sector with 1.6 billion dollars, textiles and machinery with 1.3 billion dollars each, and the steel industry with 1 billion dollars. As we enter 2025, our exports in Bursa continue to record positive growth, driven especially by the automotive sector.”
“Automotive leads the way in exports”
Sharing that exports in Bursa reached 4.1 billion dollars in the first quarter of 2025, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe added: “In 2024, nearly 6,000 member companies of the Uludağ Exporters' Associations realized exports totaling 38.6 billion dollars. According to UİB data, the top five sectors were automotive with 31.7 billion dollars, machinery with 1.5 billion, textiles with 1.2 billion, apparel with 923 million, and chemicals with 736 million dollars.”
“We must grow by at least 10 percent”
TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe reported that exports by companies affiliated with UİB reached 9.8 billion dollars in the first quarter of 2025. Emphasizing a growth rate of approximately 3.5 percent, Gültepe noted that the automotive sector played a significant role in this increase. Stating that, as TİM, they have set the goal—particularly since he assumed office—of positioning Türkiye among the world's top ten exporting countries in the medium and long term, Gültepe concluded his remarks as follows:
“Our target is ambitious, and we are working together with determination. We concluded 2024 with exports amounting to approximately 262 billion dollars, marking a 2.5 percent increase. As we move into 2025, our goal is 280 billion dollars. For 2028, we aim for 375 billion dollars in goods and 200 billion dollars in services exports, totaling 575 billion dollars. To reach these figures, we must achieve at least 7 percent annual growth, including in 2025. Considering the strength of Turkish exporters, we need to grow by no less than 10 percent in the coming years. We continue to work towards these goals together.”
“These meetings are an opportunity to establish an export ecosystem”
“It is a great pleasure to welcome you in Bursa, one of our country's most prominent export centers, with nearly 17 billion dollars in exports. As the Uludağ Exporters Associations, we increased our exports by 6 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 39 billion dollars in 2024. As a union, we continue to make substantial contributions to national exports, maintaining our position as Türkiye's second-largest exporters' union. When one considers that this success was achieved under challenging conditions, its value becomes even more apparent. I would like to once again express my gratitude to all our companies who continue to produce and export despite all difficulties.”
Highlighting that global demand contraction, stagnation in EU economies, high inflation, and rising costs have adversely impacted competitiveness, and that regional conflicts have weakened export orders, Çelik continued:
“To overcome the challenges we face and elevate our exports to higher levels, we must strengthen the culture of consultation, enhance cooperation, and improve our processes through collective reasoning. Addressing regional and sectoral problems and developing innovative strategies accordingly will further boost our export potential. That is precisely why we are gathered here today. Such meetings are not only to address the difficulties we face but also to generate solutions, support one another, and build a more robust export ecosystem under a shared vision.”
“We will persist with determination in pursuit of our goals”
Stating that, in a time when global trade is becoming increasingly complex, cooperation and solidarity are of vital importance for exporters to achieve sustainable success, Baran Çelik said:
“On this occasion, I extend my sincere thanks to TİM Chairman Mr. Mustafa Gültepe, the TİM Board of Directors, and Members of the Sectoral Councils, who always support us in advancing our success in the field of exports. With the continued support of the Türkiye Exporters' Assembly, we shall resolutely pursue our efforts to maximize our country's export potential. I also firmly believe that, thanks to the dedication and perseverance of all our exporters, our nation will attain an even stronger position in global trade. I hope this meeting opens new horizons for all of us and yields tangible outcomes.”
The second part of the programme was held behind closed doors. In this session, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe and UİB Coordinator Chairman Baran Çelik responded to questions from representatives of exporting firms. In the continuation of the programme, representatives from Eximbank, İGE Inc., and Türk Ticaret Bankası shared information on financial support available to exporters. In the final segment, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe and accompanying officials from TİM and UİB conducted visits to local factories.