ISTANBUL, December 18. /TASS/. Turkish exporters are developing plan B on supplies of their products to other countries due to losses they sustain in Europe. It is planned to prioritize Russia, Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries, the Dunya newspaper reported.

Europe still remains the main market for Turkey as it accounts for around 45% of its exports, though economic recession on the continent driven by global and regional reasons have recently resulted in losses surpassing 10% for Turkish producers of apparel, garment and textile sectors, the publication said. Developing plans of export to European countries by 2028 as the main market of goods and services for itself, Turkey is stepping up the efforts in other areas, the paper said citing representatives of the country’s business circles.

"Europe will keep the strategic place in Turkish export and remain the main market for it. In the midterm we may double our exports to the US, which currently stand at $14 bln per year. The Gulf countries also have huge potential for our exports. Iraq, Russia and the Turkic republics also stand out in our exports both from the viewpoint of geographic proximity and existing trade ties. Iraq and Russia are among top ten countries, in which we export most goods," President of Turkish Exporters Assembly Mustafa Gultepe told the publication.

"Export of ready-made clothes to EU countries, which is the main market for us, has decreased from 70% to 59%. We focus on filling the void driven by the lack of demand on the EU market through supplies to Russia, the Middle East, the Gulf countries. In particular, we expect exports to Russia to rise in 2024," Chairman of the Board of the Union of Finished Products Manufacturers of Turkey Ramazan Kaya noted.