Foreign Trade 

In 2008, Turkey’s exports and imports reached an all-time high; exports increased 23 percent, reaching USD 132 billion, while imports rose 19 percent, hitting USD 202 billion. During 2009, the year of the global financial crisis, Turkey managed to secure USD 102 billion of exports and USD 141 billion of imports. The table below shows Turkey's historical trade figures during 2002-2009.

Foreign Trade Statistics

Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat)

Due to the implementation of the liberalization process since the 1980s, the Turkish economy has experienced a period of high growth. Foreign trade, both in exports and imports, has grown rapidly and notable changes in the structure of exports have been observed. In this regard, industrial products have gained prominence over agricultural products.

Turkey became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995. Following this move, it finalized an agreement with the European Union, enabling it to join the Customs Union on January 1, 1996.

Exports

In line with the policies implemented within the framework of the export-led development model followed since 1980, exportation has become important to Turkey in both qualitative and quantitative terms.

Starting in particular in 1980 and continuing up to the mid-1990s, significant developments have been observed in the market share held by labor-intensive industrial products such as textiles and clothing, iron and steel, and foodstuffs.

In 1996, with the establishment of a Customs Union with the European Union, Turkey's exports entered a new structural transformation process. The developments in recent years show that production and exportation have increased substantially in high technology sectors, where goods include electrical and electronic machinery and equipment, as well as in the automotive industry. In this respect, it can also be observed that the export market share of manufactured industrial products has increased.

Exports by Economic Activity

Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat)

Exports by Country Groups

Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat)

Imports

The Turkish import regime highlights the liberalization of Turkish imports in line with its commitments to complete the Customs Union with the EU, its relationship with EFTA and its obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Turkey has placed special emphasis on its commitment to reduce customs duties in order to align itself with the Common Customs Tariff. Turkey has made necessary modifications to its import regime, and by January 1, 1996 the Customs Union with the EU became effective.

The basic aims of the Turkish import policy since the early 1980s can be summarized as follows:

• Reduction of protectionist measures in conformity with the new GATT rules
• Reduction of bureaucratic procedures
• Securing a supply of raw materials and intermediary goods at suitable prices with certain quality standards

Turkey's Membership of International Trade Organizations

Turkey has been a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 1995. Its commitment to integrating regional and international trade norms is seen in Turkey’s participation and membership of various organizations, including the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), D-8 and various other organizations.

In addition to the Customs Union with the EU, Turkey has signed Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with EFTA, Georgia, Israel, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Tunisia, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Egypt, Albania and Montenegro.