08.05.2026 18:46
TGSD, which has taken action against cost pressure and idle capacity in the ready-to-wear industry, plans to establish production basins on the Turkey-Syria border. The project targets 250,000 jobs and $5 billion in annual exports.
Rising costs and idle machinery capacity worth $6 billion have prompted a new move from the ready-to-wear sector. Toygar Narbay, President of the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association (TGSD), announced that they are working on a new production model as a solution to the sector's production losses and investments shifting abroad.
TARGET OF 250,000 JOBS AND $5 BILLION IN EXPORTS
According to a report by Türkiye newspaper; Narbay stated that the sector could regain growth momentum with production basins to be established on the Turkey-Syria border, saying, 'If the project is implemented, we aim for 250,000 jobs and an annual export capacity of $5 billion in the medium term. Significant machinery capacity was created in the sector, especially with investments in 2022. However, a substantial portion of this now remains idle. Approximately $6 billion worth of machinery park is currently not operating at full capacity. With this model, both our existing capacity will be utilized and the sector will regain its competitive advantage.'
NEW ECONOMIC ZONE ON A 444-KILOMETER LINE
Speaking at a meeting organized for TGSD's 50th anniversary, Narbay stated that they submitted their roadmap to the Ministries of Industry and Trade. Emphasizing their goal to further strengthen the Turkey brand, Narbay said, 'We aim to create a new production-focused economic zone along an approximately 444-kilometer border line with a depth of 30 kilometers. Our proposal involves long-term leasing of about a 15-kilometer section on the Syrian side. The region will be managed by the Turkish government, with security under the control of the Turkish army. World Bank resources could be utilized for financing. The migrant population in the region could also be employed here.'
NAKHCHEVAN MODEL ALSO ON THE TABLE
Narbay reported that the Ministries of Industry and Trade responded positively to the project, and that they received a proposal suggesting a similar model could be applied on the Nakhchivan border. He stated, 'A strategic production cooperation can be developed between Turkey and Azerbaijan. A similar production model could be established on the Nakhchivan line with brotherly Azerbaijan. This would be a strategic step not only for textiles but also for Turkey's regional production power.'
“WE MUST EXPAND PRODUCTION IN OUR OWN GEOGRAPHY”
Recalling that investments have shifted to Egypt, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in recent years due to cost advantages, Narbay emphasized that this process is not permanent. 'We experienced this in Egypt. When the government changed, our investors returned, but the factories remained there. The same situation was seen in Romania and Bosnia. Therefore, we must expand our production in our own geography and in areas we can control,' he said.