Industry is not only the cornerstone of economic growth, but also of employment, exports, technological development, and strategic independence. However, the production economy today faces multi-faceted pressure stemming from difficulties in accessing finance, high costs, dependency on raw materials, global uncertainties, and the exchange rate lagging behind inflation. More than ever, there is a need for policies that prioritize industry, strengthen the investment environment, increase predictability, and support competitiveness in order to ensure sustainable growth by preserving production power.
Developments in the global economy in recent years have once again revealed how strategic an element production is. Supply chain disruptions that started with the pandemic, energy crises, geopolitical tensions, and rising protectionist tendencies in global trade have increased the importance of countries that engage in production, while also making the sustainability of industry one of the most critical agenda items.
Turkey gained a significant advantage in this process with its strong production infrastructure and dynamic industry. However, at the point we have reached today, economic conditions experienced domestically are becoming just as decisive on production as global developments. In particular, difficulties in accessing finance, high loan costs, dependency on raw materials, and the exchange rate lagging behind inflation directly affect the competitiveness of industrialists.
For the production economy to function healthily, there is a need for an industrial structure capable of investing, planning, and anticipating the future. Yet under current conditions, many businesses are forced to postpone investment decisions. Today, industrialists are trying not only to produce, but also to manage rising costs.
ACCESS TO FINANCE IS THE KEY TO PRODUCTION
Access to finance remains one of the most critical topics for the sustainability of industrial investments. Especially for SMEs engaged in production, the persistence of high loan costs makes managing working capital more difficult with each passing day.
In an environment where manufacturing companies cannot access finance, it is not easy to talk about capacity increases, technology investments, and export targets. To support production, it is of great importance that investment loans become accessible, long-term financing models are developed, and production-oriented businesses are supported as a priority.
To the extent that an industrialist can invest, they create employment, realize exports, and produce added value. Therefore, finance is not only an economic tool, but also an inseparable part of production policy.
THE RISK OF PREMATURE DEINDUSTRIALIZATION SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED
One of the most important risks for developing countries is premature deindustrialization... The loss of industry's weight in the economy before production capacity is sufficiently strengthened can turn into a significant structural problem that limits growth potential in the long run.
For Turkey to achieve its development targets, the share of industry in national income must be preserved and even increased. While economies that move away from production struggle to close their foreign trade deficits, countries that engage in high-value-added production attain a much stronger position in global competition.
Therefore, industrialization policies must be addressed with a long-term perspective. Policies that encourage production rather than pushing it to the background are of strategic importance for Turkey's future.
EXCHANGE RATE AND COMPETITIVENESS
One of the most frequently voiced issues among exporter sectors recently is that the exchange rate has fallen behind inflation. The fact that export revenues do not increase at the same rate while production costs rise rapidly weakens competitiveness in international markets.
While energy, labor, logistics, and financing expenses are constantly rising, the limited movement in the exchange rate reduces the profitability of exporting companies. This situation negatively affects not only current exports, but also investments in new markets.
For Turkey to sustain its export-oriented growth model, an economic framework must be established that balances production costs, preserves competitiveness, and increases predictability.
RAW MATERIAL DEPENDENCY IS A STRATEGIC ISSUE
One of the most important structural problems for the plastics industry is its continued external dependency on petrochemical raw materials. Meeting the majority of raw materials through imports directly reflects global price movements onto the sector's costs.
Changes in energy prices, freight costs, and geopolitical developments reduce predictability in raw material supply. Therefore, increasing domestic petrochemical investments, more effectively utilizing secondary raw materials obtained from recycling, and strengthening circular economy practices are of strategic importance.
The plastics industry is not just a sector that carries out its own production. It forms an indispensable link in the production chain of dozens of sectors, ranging from packaging to automotive, white goods to agriculture, and the defense industry to healthcare. Therefore, the strengthening of the plastics sector means the strengthening of Turkey's entire industry.
PRODUCTION IS TURKEY'S STRONGEST COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Today, the world is once again discussing the value of production. The diversification of supply chains, the strengthening of near-shoring approaches, and the green transition process offer significant opportunities for Turkey.
These opportunities can only be evaluated through a strong industrial policy. Financing mechanisms supporting production, competitive energy costs, regulations strengthening the investment environment, and long-term policies prioritizing industrialization will support Turkey's goal of becoming a global production hub.
Production is not merely an activity that takes place in factories; it is the foundation of prosperity, employment, and economic independence. Countries that strengthen their industry also secure their future. I believe that when Turkey's production culture, entrepreneurial strength, and industrial experience are supported by the right policies, it will reach a much stronger position in global competition.
TO PROTECT PRODUCTION IS TO PROTECT TURKEY'S COMPETITIVENESS
The plastics industry is one of the strategic areas of Turkey's industry with a production capacity of approximately 10 million tons, an economic size exceeding 50 billion dollars, and intermediate goods provided to more than 45 sectors. However, the sector is undergoing a major competitive test due to high financing costs, dependency on imported raw materials, rising energy expenses, and exchange rate pressure on exports. Despite this, thanks to its flexible production capability, strong export infrastructure, and high adaptation capacity, it continues to produce, invest, and create employment. Turkey's preservation of its production power depends on the resolute continuation of policies that support industry, strengthen the investment environment, and increase competitiveness. Because a strong industry means a strong economy, and a strong economy means a strong Turkey.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.