Turkish exports to Italy rise as digital partnership deepens ties

Enhanced diplomatic and economic relations between Türkiye and Italy are yielding positive results, with Turkish exports to Italy rising nearly 5% year-on-year in the January-November period to $11.3 billion. According to data from the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM), this growth contributes to Türkiye's overall export performance, which saw an increase to $247.1 billion in the same timeframe despite global trade headwinds.

Sector Breakdown and Regional Hubs

The automotive industry remained the top export category to Italy, accounting for $3 billion in shipments, followed by chemicals, steel, and metals. Istanbul led the nation's cities in export volume to Italy with $4.1 billion, followed by major industrial centers Kocaeli and Bursa. Exports to Italy represented 4.6% of Türkiye's total exports during the eleven-month period.

A Strategic Vision for Deeper Cooperation

In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Stefano Kaslowski, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Türkiye, highlighted the evolving nature of the partnership. "We’ve been cooperating in more traditional sectors for many years... digitalization is naturally coming to the fore in this new era," he stated. Kaslowski argued that Türkiye is positioned to assume a greater strategic role for Europe by facilitating access to key materials and affordable energy from neighboring regions, potentially helping the continent close a competitive gap in digital transformation.

Challenges and Ambitious Future Targets

Kaslowski identified challenges to further growth, including the need to modernize the EU-Türkiye Customs Union and coordinated defense against competitively priced Chinese imports. Despite these hurdles, he expressed strong optimism for the relationship's potential, suggesting bilateral trade could eventually target $100 billion, far surpassing the current $40 billion goal. "We can discuss even higher trade targets, as all is in our hands to achieve this goal," he added, emphasizing shared synergy and trust between the two nations.