Bolat made a written statement regarding the development of Türkiye's foreign trade on the 103rd anniversary of the Republic.
Stating that the Turkish economy and foreign trade have experienced a radical transformation in the last 20 years, Bolat said, "As of September, we calculate that our annual exports of goods and services have reached the highest level in the history of our Republic with 409.1 billion dollars, including our estimate of service exports. This success is the work of the determination of our producers, the effort of our exporters, the courage of our entrepreneurs and the unity of our nation. It represents the quality, competitiveness and power of taste of Turkish goods and services. In the 103rd year of our Republic, 'Producing, exporting "We continue to walk towards a stronger, more prosperous future with the vision of a 'growing, developing Turkey'. On this blessed day, I share with our entire nation the joy of this historical success we have achieved in our country's production and export power." made his assessment.
Bolat pointed out that the Turkish economy, which had an export structure based on agricultural products in 1923, has now reached a wide and value-added export range ranging from automotive to white goods, from the defense industry to software, and said, "Our goods exports, which were only 50 million dollars in 1923, increased to 2.9 billion dollars in 1980 and 36.1 billion dollars in 2002. As of September, our goods exports reached 283.7 billion dollars on an annualized basis." reached and broke the record in the history of our Republic." he said.
Stating that Türkiye's share in world goods exports was at an average level of 0.38 percent between 1980 and 2000, Bolat stated that it increased to 0.55 percent in 2002 and 1.04 percent in 2025.
Pointing out that this great success is the most concrete indicator that Türkiye has further strengthened its place on the world stage with its production power, export capacity and competitive economy, Bolat continued his statement as follows:
"Exports, which were made to only 24 countries and 30 chapters in the first years of our republic, have spread to 223 countries and customs regions in all chapters and approximately 13 thousand different products as of January-September this year. Turkey now has a highly competitive and dynamic export economy that delivers its production to all over the world. As of 2025, over 1 billion dollars of exports have been made to 51 countries. In the same year, the annual exports of our 33 provinces exceeded 1 billion dollars. While the number of exporting companies increased to 167 thousand 779, the number of exports exceeding 1 billion dollars reached 53. While 1 billion dollars of exports could be achieved in a year in 1973, this success could be achieved in a month, and since 2013, our daily exports sometimes exceed 2 billion dollars. This extraordinary development is due to the huge increase in Türkiye's production capacity. "It is the most concrete indicator of the confidence and competitiveness our exporters have gained in world markets, as well as the economic maturity we have reached as we enter the second century of our Republic."
Bolat underlined that Türkiye has become a trade and export power that not only produces but also delivers what it produces to the world, and noted that despite the difficulties in the world trade environment, Türkiye has maintained its economic resilience and reached record export levels in many markets.
Stating that exports to European Union (EU) countries, which were 11.3 billion dollars in 1996, increased to 118.7 billion dollars annually as of September with the momentum gained by the Customs Union, Bolat said, "While our share in the total imports of the EU-27 was 2.2 percent in 2002, it reached 4.1 percent, the highest level of all time, by 2025." he said.
Bolat stated that Türkiye is a reliable, stable and strong trade partner preferred by developed countries, and stated that while the share of industrial products exports in total exports was 21.2 percent in 1969, this rate increased to 94.3 percent by 2025.
"Türkiye is one of the reliable actors in global trade"
Pointing out that this development is a clear indicator of Türkiye's strong transformation from an agriculture-based economy to high-tech production and industrial exports, Bolat said:
"Today, Turkey has become one of the reliable actors of global trade with its entire chain from production to exports, from technology to logistics. The share of medium-high and high-tech product exports in our total manufacturing industry exports, which was 30.4 percent in 2002, increased to 43.5 percent in 2025 and to 44.1 percent annually as of September 2026. With this great success achieved in the last 24 years, the share of medium-high and high-tech product exports in our total manufacturing industry exports increased to 43.5 percent in 2025 and to 44.1 percent annually as of September 2026. While the world economy grew by 3.1 percent in the 1980-2002 period, the growth rate in the world economy was 3.6 percent in the 2003-2025 period, and Turkey's nominal national income grew 1.5 points faster than the 1980-2002 period and 1.9 points faster than the world average. "While it was the 21st largest economy in the world in 2002 in terms of national income, it became the 16th largest economy in 2025. While it was the 16th largest economy in the world in 2002 in terms of national income calculated according to purchasing power parity, it became the 11th largest economy in 2025."
Drawing attention to the increase in Türkiye's gross domestic product and per capita income in the 2002-2025 period, Bolat said, "This historical rise is the most concrete indicator of our strong economic transformation and production-based development vision. The basis of this strong growth lies in Türkiye's production power, entrepreneurial spirit and exporter vision." made his assessment.
"We will continue to strengthen our position in the world economy"
Stating that tradesmen and craftsmen have turned into international exporters carrying the centuries-old accumulation of the Republic to global markets, Bolat said:
"Thanks to micro-export opportunities and the conveniences provided, traditional craft and production culture transcends borders. In line with our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Turkey Century vision, we will continue to develop this strong structure, extending from production to exports, from technology to branding, and to consolidate our effective and decisive position in the world economy."
