IDDMIB/Tecdelioğlu: Achieving Independence in Raw Materials to Boost Production and Enhance Exports

FOREX - The logistics centers for copper, which is a primary raw material for all sectors from automotive to defense industry, machine manufacturing to white goods, are now nearing completion in Turkey.

Çetin Tecdelioğlu, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association (IDDMIB), speaking at the National Copper Summit held in Istanbul, stated, "Turkey meets almost all of its copper needs through imports. However, it processes these and exports billions of dollars worth, thus creating added value. The problem here is the dependency on foreign raw materials. We have intensified our contacts to resolve this issue. We are in touch with the Presidency, relevant ministries, and public institutions, as well as export unions. We believe we are in the final stages. As a result of these initiatives, we aim to make it easier to access copper and, most importantly, to open logistics centers listed on the London Metal Exchange in Turkey. This way, we can achieve independence in raw materials, increase production, and develop our exports."

The National Copper Summit was organized in collaboration with the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KSO), Istanbul Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association (IDDMIB), and Istanbul Technical University (ITU). The opening speeches were delivered by KSO Council Member Hayrettin Çaycı, Deputy Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and Chairman of IDDMIB, Çetin Tecdelioğlu, ISO President Erdal Bahçıvan, and ITU Rector Hasan Mandal. IDDMIB Deputy Chairman Sevgür Arslanpay and IDDMIB Board Member Cengiz Kaya served as moderators for the event, which brought together all stakeholders of the sector. The discussions focused on developing high added-value products, increasing copper exports, adapting to green production, and addressing R&D and innovation in the copper sector.

WE ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES REGARDING LOGISTICS CENTERS

Çetin Tecdelioğlu emphasized that millions of tons of copper production are being discussed globally, while Turkey's production is measured in thousands of tons, indicating that Turkey has fallen a bit behind in creating added value in copper. He stated, "That’s why we need to process more products and add more value to our products. However, copper is a difficult metal. On the other hand, copper is also a financially strong metal. The production of copper is a very challenging process, and copper production in our country is nearly nonexistent. Needs are being met through imports. Turkey's annual requirement is between 400,000 and 500,000 tons. We are working as an export union to ensure that this imported raw material is easily accessible and, most importantly, to have copper recognized as a strategic mineral. We continue our initiatives with the Presidency, ministries, and all our institutions. As a result of these initiatives, we aim to facilitate access to this metal and to establish logistics centers listed on the London Metal Exchange in Turkey. We now believe that we are in the final stretch."

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PRODUCTION WILL BE SECURED

Çetin Tecdelioğlu noted that without copper, sectors such as automotive, white goods, machinery, and defense cannot continue their operations that rely on electricity. He continued, "Therefore, we need to seriously process our copper and meet our own needs. There is also a supply security problem in Turkey. Production does not happen without products like aluminum and copper. If these materials are not strategically easily accessible in Turkey, we cannot sustain our operations amidst issues that may arise globally or in our country. By eliminating supply security issues with LME warehouses, we will also secure the needs of all sectors that generate billions of dollars in production and exports."