Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Council Chair Yavuz Eroğlu stated that profit margins are shrinking due to imports, emphasizing the need to support materials production without harming plastic product manufacturers.

Stating that the sector has an image problem, Eroğlu stressed the need for an institutional authority similar to the European Food Security Agency.

During the TOBB Turkey Plastics, Rubbers and Composites Sector Council meeting, Council Chair Yavuz Eroğlu stated the need to increase competitive power of plastics producers without piling on more costs.

- The sector needs to be correctly interpreted by the public

Council Chair Yavuz Eroğlu stated that the sector must be adopted by a public authority and create a suitable perception of the sector.

Reiterating the importance of an institutional authority similar to the European Food Security Agency which would put the public’s mind at ease, Eroğlu stated that they must avoid appearance of impropriety through the use of an impartial arbiter.

Council Chair Yavuz Eroğlu reported that they’ve applied to ensure tax-free imports of materials which do not meet the demands of the domestic market.

-  Plastics Promotion Group opinion

Assessments were made in regards to the Plastics Promotion Group formed by the İstanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Unions (İKMİB), stating that costs incurred by the work of this group would negatively impact companies and that the attempts to create a “Turkish Plastic” branding on a global scale are unlikely to yield results.

- Imports dependency

Council Vice Chair Enver Bakioğlu gave a presentation regarding “Turkey’s Plastic Raw Materials Imports and Consumption in the Flexible Packaging Sector,” touching on international trade balance and the state of the sector in regards to its imports dependency.

Bakioğlu stressed the importance of not limiting the imports of some raw materials for the competitiveness and development of the sector.