At a time when industry is once again coming to the fore as a strategic force on a global scale, it is of great importance for Turkey to protect its production capacity against the risk of premature deindustrialization and to focus on high value-added industry. A strong production infrastructure, competitive industrial policies, and technology-oriented investments will be the most solid guarantee of sustainable development.
The transformation experienced in the world economy in recent years is reshaping countries' production policies. Supply chain disruptions starting with the pandemic, energy crises, geopolitical developments, and protectionist trade policies have once again revealed the strategic importance of industry. While developed countries are trying to pull production back within their own borders, Turkey’s top priority should be to strengthen its industry and protect its competitive advantage.
At this point, one of the most important risks is the phenomenon of "premature deindustrialization." Economies that move away from production before the industrial sector reaches sufficient maturity lose their capacity to create high added value, slow down their technological development, and increase their foreign dependency. The growth of the services sector is certainly important, but it is not possible to speak of sustainable development without a strong production infrastructure. Today, Turkey has significant opportunities with its young population, production culture, geographical advantages, and entrepreneurial potential. However, in order to preserve these advantages, it is of great importance to support industrial investments, reduce production costs, and strengthen the investment environment.
IF PRODUCTION POWER IS LOST, COMPETITIVENESS ALSO WEAKENS
The plastics sector is one of the most strategic areas of our economy from this perspective. Providing inputs to more than 45 sectors ranging from automotive to white goods, packaging to the defense industry, and agriculture to health, the plastics industry is one of the invisible yet indispensable actors of production. Therefore, the strengthening of the plastics sector does not only mean its own growth; it also means increasing the competitiveness of the entire Turkish industry. Nevertheless, our sector has been producing for many years dependent on high raw material imports. Global price fluctuations, exchange rate movements, and difficulties in accessing finance create serious pressures on producers. Despite this, our industrialists continue to make investments, realize exports, and create employment. This determination needs to be supported more strongly by public policies.
THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY WILL BE SHAPED BY TECHNOLOGY AND INVESTMENT
The way to eliminate the risk of premature deindustrialization is not to give up production, but to make production more efficient, more technological, and more competitive. Digital transformation, automation, artificial intelligence applications, energy efficiency, and circular economy investments are no longer a choice, but a necessity. Appropriate financing mechanisms and long-term industrial policies are needed for our industry to realize this transformation.
At the same time, a holistic approach should be adopted in many areas, from vocational education to R&D support, from domestic raw material production to the development of logistics infrastructure. The strengthening of production will only be possible with the shared vision of not just factories, but also universities, public institutions, and the private sector.
Today, while the world is talking about re-industrialization, it is unthinkable for Turkey to move away from production. On the contrary, it needs to bring its existing production capacity together with higher technology and climb to higher steps in global value chains. The risk of premature deindustrialization can be turned into a significant opportunity with the right policies.
Industry is the cornerstone of qualified employment, exports, and technological development, as well as economic growth. Strong industry means a strong economy; a strong economy means a strong Turkey. We believe that thanks to policies that prioritize production, support the investor, and increase competitiveness, our country will progress towards its sustainable development goals with firmer steps.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.