New Trade Bridges Established Between Türkiye and the Philippines
The Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade, organized a trade delegation program in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Bringing together Turkish and Filipino businesspeople, the program aimed to enhance the trade volume between the two nations.
The Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) continues to connect exporters with business representatives worldwide through general and sectoral trade delegations. The general trade delegation program, organized under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade and with the support of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), was held in Manila from September 22 to 25. The delegation, chaired by TİM Sectors Council Member Ali Can Yamanyılmaz, comprised representatives of 12 exporting companies from various industries.
“The Philippines holds strategic importance for Türkiye”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, which was also attended by the Republic of Türkiye's Ambassador to Manila, Niyazi Evren Akyol, TİM Sectors Council Member Ali Can Yamanyılmaz expressed great satisfaction at being in the Philippines. Emphasizing the multidimensional development of Türkiye-Philippines relations in recent years, Yamanyılmaz stated: “Our cultural bonds of friendship are strengthening, and our trade is increasingly enriched through economic cooperation. As a member of ASEAN, the Philippines is one of the region's most dynamic economies with high growth rates. Therefore, it is a valuable partner for Türkiye.”
“Last year, 700 Turkish companies exported to the Philippines”
Highlighting that bilateral relations are expanding across political, economic, defense, and cultural spheres, Yamanyılmaz shared the following regarding the current foreign trade between the two countries:
“In 2024, 700 of our companies exported goods worth 140 million dollars to the Philippines. In the same year, our imports from the Philippines reached 254 million. Currently, we account for 0.35 percent of the Philippines' exports and 0.10 percent of its imports. Particularly, our defense and aerospace industries have recently become the leading sectors in our exports to the Philippines. In the January–July period of this year, our defense and aerospace exports rose by 164 percent, jewelry exports by 55 percent, electrical and electronics exports by 26 percent, and grain exports by 11 percent.
On the import side, electronics, grains, dried fruits, chemicals, and machinery stand out as key product groups. In the coming period, we aim to further strengthen our ties and ensure that even more of our 150,000 exporters engage with this promising market.”
Yamanyılmaz also underlined that the delegation program would create new business opportunities, market research, and investment prospects for Turkish and Filipino business circles, and expressed gratitude to the Filipino authorities and business community for their hospitality.
Over 200 bilateral business meetings
Following the opening speeches, bilateral business meetings were held. Representatives of 12 Turkish exporting companies met with Filipino businesspeople and conducted more than 200 bilateral business discussions. The program concluded with market research activities and company visits carried out in Manila after the bilateral meetings.