The Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association (ÇİB) has organized a trade delegation visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, with the aim of increasing the trade volume between the two countries. Stating during the visit that Turkey’s steel exports to Georgia increased by 45 percent year on year to 163,000 mt in the first 10 months of this year, Adnan Aslan, chairman of the ÇİB, said that Georgia is a strategic gateway to Central Asia and other regional markets.
Mr. Aslan commented, “This year we have held a total of eight events in different countries. We will continue these events next year. Turkish companies come and see the market, get to know local companies and examine their ways of doing business. It is a great pleasure to see that our exports to every country we visit start to increase after five to six months,” adding that he estimates that Turkey will close 2024 with a 22 percent increase in its steel exports to Georgia, totaling approximately 17 million mt.
Noting that protectionism is increasing in the steel industry, Aslan stated that exports will become regional. Noting that the countries that were Turkey’s export markets years ago have become net exporters, he went to say that Turkish companies should focus on value-added product production to increase the country’s steel exports.