Turkish textile sector eyes Syria for production shift

Türkiye’s textile industry should consider relocating the production facilities to Syria, chairman of the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association (ITHIB), Ahmet Oksuz, suggested.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency on Sunday, Oksuz praised Syria as a promising destination for investment, particularly in the textile industry. Recalling the substantial Syrian population that has settled in Türkiye in recent years, Oksuz noted, “Many of them have been employed across various sectors. Now, with their return to their homeland, establishing production facilities there would be highly beneficial for us.”

Oksuz emphasized that local production costs in Syria would be considerably lower, saying “Currently, we are facing challenges in both labor availability and costs in Türkiye, particularly in labor-intensive industrial sectors. If we can seize this opportunity, I believe it could lead to substantial benefits.”

‘Syria Instead of Egypt’

Highlighting that the Turkish textile sector has increasingly focused on production in Egypt, Oksuz argued that shifting this focus to Syria could present a much more significant advantage, pointing out that regions near Türkiye have the potential to become vital production hubs.

Highlighting the potential for job creation in the region, Oksuz added:

If we can initiate labor-intensive production in areas close to Türkiye on the Syrian side, it would be a strategic advantage. In the near future, labor shortages and rising costs in Türkiye will become even more pressing issues. This approach could help mitigate those challenges while also benefiting the employment of Syrians and contributing to Türkiye’s production capacity.

Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association Chairman, Ahmet Oksuz

Sinan Oncel, president of the United Brands Association (BMD), also acknowledged that the normalization process in Syria might take time. He expressed optimism that once normalization begins, the Turkish retail sector could also establish a presence in the region through franchising, albeit gradually.

As Syria rebuilds following the collapse of its 61-year Baath regime, the Turkish textile and retail sectors aim to contribute to both employment and production in the country.

With Syria’s reconstruction process accelerating after the fall of the Baath regime, various sectors are closely monitoring developments. Textile and retail industry representatives underline Türkiye’s potential to play a leading role in Syria’s rebuilding efforts, with these sectors positioned prominently among areas of collaboration.