The technical textiles sector in Turkey is gaining more importance and the development of the sector is expected to continue in the coming years, said Emre Kizilgunes, chairman of the Aegean Clothing and Apparel Exporters’ Association (EHKIB), at the recently held 2nd Aegean Textile Days meet, of the Aegean University Textile Engineering Department in the Turkish province of Izmir.

 

At the meeting, Mr. Kizilgunes said the technical textiles sector is gaining importance in the country, especially because technical textile products could be used in various fields like safety, health, and automotive industries.

 

Research and development work is being conducted in order to enhance productivity of the technical textiles sector in Turkey, and these studies would aim at improving infrastructure in order to improve the sector, he added.

 

During the meet, the EHKIB chairman emphasized that the Turkish textile and apparel sector is a major player in world markets, and since 1995, the textile and apparel industry of the country is on the path of development and is continuing to grow.

 

The textile and apparel industry of Turkey exports goods worth US$ 26 billion annually, and the target is to reach US$ 72 billion, in terms of exports, by 2023, he added.

 

The EHKIB official said that in order to achieve this target, more value-added products need to be developed and the importance should be given to manufacture high-end innovative goods, to compete with international markets.

 

The 2nd Aegean Textile Days event saw participation from various textile industry leaders of Turkey, the event was held with the objective of discussing the future of textile engineers and development of textile engineering in the country.