In the report prepared based on company data for the period 2013-2023, the production, export and financing structure of Türkiye and Ankara industry was examined. The study revealed that Ankara has strengthened its position in the EU market and the industry has moved away from the base metal-based structure towards more advanced processed, high value-added products.
With SKDM moving into the implementation phase that creates financial obligations as of January 1, 2026, after the transition period that started on October 1, 2023, the data for the 2013-2023 period included in the report will serve as a reference for monitoring the transformation of Ankara's industry in the coming years.
ANKARA'S POSITION IN THE EU MARKET HAS BEEN STRENGTHENED
According to the report, Türkiye's total exports increased from 161.5 billion dollars to 255.6 billion dollars in the 2013-2023 period. While the share of products within the scope of SKDM in total exports was 7.75 percent in 2023, this rate was approximately 7 percent in Ankara.
Ankara's share in Türkiye's exports to the EU within the scope of SKDM increased from 3.33 percent in 2013 to 4.44 percent in 2023. Ankara's exports to the EU within the scope of SKDM increased from approximately 95 million dollars to 334 million dollars in the same period.
There was also a remarkable change in the product composition of Ankara industry. While the share of base metal manufacturing decreased from 72.63 percent to 25.83 percent, the share of fabricated metal products increased from 12.01 percent to 33.83 percent, ranking first. Machinery and equipment manufacturing stood out with a share of 10.58 percent.
In the report, this change was evaluated as an indicator that Ankara's industry is turning to more processed and high value-added products.
FINANCING AND INPUT COSTS STAND OUT
The profit rate of exporting companies within the scope of SKDM in Ankara was 12.45 percent in 2023, above the Türkiye average of 10.06 percent. The debt ratio remained at a lower level at 18.07 percent.
However, while the share of bank loans in the financial debts of Ankara companies reached 86.35 percent, this rate was 65.89 percent throughout Türkiye.
Input costs were also one of the topics highlighted in the report. While the ratio of input purchases to gross sales for product exporters within the scope of SKDM was 98.98 percent across Türkiye in 2023, it increased to 128.05 percent in Ankara. The report stated that in addition to high input costs, increasing stock and ensuring supply continuity against price fluctuations may also be effective in this situation.
CONVERSION COST IS CRITICAL FOR MEDIUM-SCALE COMPANIES
In the report, medium-sized companies were listed among the priority groups that should be supported in the SKDM process. While the share of medium-sized companies in Ankara in the total exports of medium-sized companies in Turkey decreased from approximately 4 percent to 3.45 percent, it was determined that the share of bank loans in the total debts of these companies increased over 40 percent.
It was emphasized that the need for measuring and reporting emissions, energy efficiency investments and access to green financing may create an additional burden, especially for companies with limited technical and financial capacity.
For this reason, the report recommended scale-sensitive support mechanisms for SMEs, long-term and cost-effective financing, and technical supports that will improve carbon accounting and Monitoring-Reporting-Verification (MRV) capacity.
ANKARA COMPANIES TURNED TO ALTERNATIVE MARKETS
According to the report, Ankara companies, which are more exposed to SKDM, maintained their positions in the EU market, while increasing their exports to markets outside the EU within the scope of SKDM more strongly compared to Turkey in general.
On the other hand, there was no statistically significant increase in pricing behavior and imported inputs classified as green products.
In the report, it was stated that with SKDM transitioning to the financial liability period, simply turning to alternative markets will not be enough, and low-carbon production, measurement and verification of emissions and investment capacity will be more decisive in the coming period.
PRIORITY: MEASURING, FINANCING AND LOW CARBON PRODUCTION
ASO's policy recommendations included strengthening the MRV infrastructure, creating support packages for SMEs, disseminating long-term and low-cost green financing mechanisms, and integrating export supports with low-carbon production investments.
It was also recommended to prepare a predictable transformation road map that would support companies' investment decisions and to strengthen Ankara's position in the EU market by supporting its strong capacity in machinery and equipment manufacturing with high value-added, low-carbon production.
MAYOR ARDIC: "WE SHOULD TURN GREEN TRANSFORMATION INTO AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL INCREASE OUR COMPETITIVENESS"
Making evaluations about the report, ASO Chairman of the Board of Directors, Seyit Ardıç, stated that we have entered a new era in which the carbon cost has become a direct element of international trade, and said, "It is important to protect the production power of Ankara's industry, as well as to transform this power into a low-carbon, efficient and competitive structure in international markets. We must turn the green transformation into an opportunity that will increase the competitiveness of Ankara's industry."
Drawing attention to the importance of the change in the product composition of Ankara industry, Ardıç said:
"The data shows that Ankara's industry differs not only in the amount of exports but also in the quality of production. We find it important that more advanced processed products such as fabricated metal and machinery come to the fore as the weight of base metal decreases. In the coming period, we must support this production capability with energy and resource efficiency, low-carbon technologies and strong carbon management.
In the new competitive environment created by SKDM, it will not be enough for our companies to report their emissions. It is necessary to increase energy and resource efficiency in production, reduce carbon intensity, strengthen access to finance and especially make the transformation cost of our SMEs manageable. "As Ankara Chamber of Industry, we will continue to contribute to the preparation of our industrialists for this transformation, to access the right financing and support mechanisms, and to shape public policies in line with the needs of our industry."
