Türkiye and the Philippines Forge New Trade Bridges
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Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade, organized a trade delegation program in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. This program, bringing together Turkish and Filipino businesspeople, aims to increase the trade volume between the two countries.
Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) continues to connect exporters with businesspeople worldwide through its general and sectoral trade delegations. Supported by the Ministry of Trade and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the program held in Manila from September 22 to 25 brought together representatives from twelve Turkish companies. Within the delegation, led by TİM Sectors Council Member Ali Can Yamanyılmaz, Turkish company representatives engaged in bilateral business meetings with Filipino businesspeople.
“The Philippines Holds Strategic Importance for Türkiye”
TİM Sectors Council Member Ali Can Yamanyılmaz, in his opening speech in Manila, expressed great satisfaction at being in the Philippines. Highlighting the multi-dimensional development of Türkiye-Philippines relations in recent years, Yamanyılmaz stated, “Our cultural bonds of friendship are growing stronger, and our trade is becoming increasingly prosperous thanks to economic cooperation. As an ASEAN member, the Philippines stands as one of the region’s most dynamic and high-growth economies, making it a valuable partner for Türkiye.”
“Last Year, 700 Turkish Companies Exported to the Philippines”
Emphasizing the diversified growth of bilateral relations in political, economic, defense, and cultural fields, Yamanyılmaz provided the following insights on current foreign trade:
“In 2024, 700 of our companies exported goods worth 140 million dollars to the Philippines, while our imports from the Philippines reached 254 million dollars in the same year. Currently, we hold a 0.35 percent share in the Philippines’ exports and a 0.10 percent share in its imports. In particular, our defense and aerospace industries have recently emerged as leading sectors in our exports to the Philippines. Between January and July of this year, our defense and aerospace exports increased by 164 percent, jewelry by 55 percent, electrical and electronics by 26 percent, and cereals by 11 percent.
On the import side, electronics, cereals, dried fruits, chemicals, and machinery are prominent product groups. In the coming period, we aim to further strengthen our ties and enable even more of our 150,000 exporters to participate in this promising market.”
Yamanyılmaz also noted that the delegation program would create new business opportunities, market research avenues, and investment prospects for Turkish and Filipino businesspeople, and extended his gratitude to the Filipino authorities and business community for their hospitality.
About the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM)
The Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), as the umbrella organization for over 150,000 exporters, represents exporters from every region of Türkiye through its 27 sectors and 61 exporters’ associations, carrying out strategic initiatives to enhance exports.
TİM supports exporters’ access to markets by organizing international trade delegations, fairs, and procurement committees under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade. Furthermore, it acts as a bridge between the government and the business world in resolving exporters’ challenges and contributes to Türkiye’s foreign trade objectives.