ANKARA (CIHAN) - The Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Rifat Hisarciklioglu said on Wednesday that Turkey, which exports 65 percent of its total exports to the European Union (EU) and US, will meet with the serious competition from China in these markets.
Attending a panel entitled of 'The Experiences of Turkish enterprises in China' Hisarciklioglu stated that, "China started to take an important share in the world markets by increasing its exports after it became a member of the World Trade Organization in 2001. The power of China in the world market will be felt more strongly after the quotas imposed on China are removed in 2005".
"The market share in bathrobes in the US, for instance, decreased from 33% in 2002 to 18% in 2003. Meanwhile, China's market share increased from 4% to 25% in the same period" Hisarciklioglu said.
Noting that imports from China to Turkey during the first four moths of 2004 doubled to 1.3 billion dollars, Hisarcýklýoglu stated that, "We think that this is a subject and involving a rational approach. We must look at the cause for China's improvement and must focus on the measures that will prevent the unfair competition and informal trade".
Hisarciklioglu added that, "We must not become pessimistic. With proper support, Turkish industrialists and exporters can compete with countries such as China. Turkey must create regulations that improve its investment environment."