Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat announced foreign trade data for September

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat announced the foreign trade figures for September. According to the data, in September, exports increased by 15.4% compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching 26 billion dollars, and imports increased by 5.9% on an annual basis, reaching 31.2 billion dollars.

Thus, in September, the foreign trade deficit decreased by 24.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, falling to 5.2 billion dollars.

“Huge increases have been achieved in agricultural production”

Evaluating the data to Bloomberg HT, Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat said, "September has been a great month for our exports. Our exports are going very well, except for the first quarter of 2026, a record has been broken for 5 months. With 283.7 billion dollars in exports in the last 12 months, we have exceeded the annual export target of 282 billion dollars with a surplus of 1.7 billion dollars, 3 months before the end of the year. We will fight hard to break the record in October. The end of October "We will lose 2 working days in the week due to Republic Day. Turkey is reputable in terms of quality and technology in exports of goods and services. Exports are the engine of our economic growth. We are experiencing a great year in agriculture. It has been a fruitful year. The increase in exports continues to be the locomotive of industrial production."

“Efforts to access financing and reduce costs will continue”

Regarding the question of whether there will be a continuation after the growth limit in SME loans is increased from 4.5 percent to 5 percent, Minister Bolat said, "The main targets, price stability and inflation reduction, as well as increasing production and exports, are all interconnected. There is no change in these. According to the progress, balanced and measured gains are being made in terms of facilitating access to finance for our companies, especially SMEs and the manufacturing sector. It is carried out between the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the CBRT. Access to finance and its costs to grow our country's economy." "Reduction efforts will continue," he said.

Currency conversion support review

Minister Bolat also answered the question regarding TİM President Mustafa Gültepe's statement that "currency conversion support did not meet our expectations, the system has become more complex." Reminding that the foreign exchange conversion support was increased from 2 percent to 3 percent, Bolat said, "Foreign currency conversion support is given from the CBRT's resources to support our exporters in foreign markets. The Central Bank wants to increase foreign exchange reserves. It was extended for 3 months, but it was increased to 6 months. The new criteria prepared by the CBRT in the foreign exchange conversion premium support application came into force on October 1. Some formalities have been reduced here. We are already working together in terms of the expectations of our exporters."

“No expenditure will be made from the state budget.”

Regarding the developments in the fund market, Minister Ömer Bolat said that there was no shocking impact on the financial market and added, "Most importantly, no expenditure will be made from the state's budget resources." Minister Bolat included the assessment that "the necessary investigation is being carried out by the judicial authorities. It is being carried out by the relevant financial institutions, especially the CMB. Hopefully, we will overcome these quickly."