11.12.2019 Gaziantep
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the opening of the Shoe and Shoe Subsidiary Industry Fair (GAPSHOES) as a part of his Gaziantep itinerary, toured the fair and received information about the products.
In
addition to Hisarcıklıoğlu, Gaziantep Governor Davut Gül, Gaziantep
Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin and Gaziantep Chamber of Industry President Adnan
Ünverdi attended the opening of the fair.
In
his speech at the opening of the fair, Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his
satisfaction to be in Gaziantep, where industry, production and sweat of the
brow have been transformed into halal profits. Stating that they want to make Gaziantep
Turkey's shining star, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Because you most assuredly deserve
it. Despite the many difficulties we have experienced domestically and
internationally, this year you are breaking a record in exports with $7.5
billion. Turkey's 6th highest exporting province. As a city, you
send your goods to 190 countries on six continents. That's the difference in
Gaziantep: Gaziantep produces business, not excuses.”
- Call to prefer domestic shoes
Referring
to the importance of the shoe industry, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As Turkey, the
average value of 1 kilo of exports is about 1.5 dollars. The average weight of
the shoes and slippers we export is $9. In other words, our sector has produced
6 times more added value than the national average and brought it to our
country. That's pretty good. But is it enough? No. Because the average kilo
price of what we import is $24. For example, there is not much quality
difference between the shoes produced by Italy and Turkey, and we even took the
lead. So what's the reason for this difference? Brand, Design and Promotion.
These are the areas we need to develop from now on. On the other hand, as
citizens, we have a duty. When shopping, we should choose domestically produced
shoes. Especially our youth. Gaziantep is here, focused on all of this.
Gaziantep is one of the leading production centers in Turkey, the heart of the
shoe industry.”
- Nearly 300 companies, around
1,000 brands
Noting
that Gaziantep is the second most producing and exporting city with an annual
production capacity of 300 million pairs of slippers and shoes, the TOBB
President reported that 70% of the production is machines-produced, 30%
craftsmen-produced. Underlining that Gaziantep is also a city that protects,
develops and diversifies these values, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In this way,
Gaziantep is a proud city which has inspired all of Turkey. I also learned that
there are about 300 companies and around 1,000 brands here. The leaders of the
shoe industry have always come here. It's a tremendous interest, a sign that
it's been done right. This is the way of local development, enriching our
cities: Promotion and Branding. I've seen another good thing here that I need
to emphasize. In Gaziantep, we have valuable public administrators with this
vision, and both our governor and our mayor are taking care of this fair and
our producers. Our Chamber of Industry and the Chamber of Tradesmen come
together and join hands. Together, they put their hands under the stone and
work for the development and enrichment of Gaziantep. When there is unity and
togetherness, Allah provides grace.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
thanked the governor, mayor, chamber and commodity exchange presidents of the
city who contributed to the fair as well as all the entrepreneurs.