Turkey expects 111 billion USD of exports in 2010

Turkey's exports are expected to reach some 111 billion U.S. dollars in 2010, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported on Sunday.
   Mehmet Buyukeksi, chairperson of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM), was quoted as saying that "2010 will be a recovery year, and we particularly attach importance to neighboring and surrounding countries.", Xinhua reported.
   Turkey's major exports items are apparel and clothing accessories, iron and steel, pearls and precious stones, tobacco, mineral fuels and cotton, according to the report.
   The major export partners of the country are Germany, the United States, Britain, France and Italy. Buyukeksi also underlined the importance of the African, Latin American and Far Eastern markets.
   The largest industrial sector is textiles and clothing, which accounts for one-third of industrial employment. However, it faces stiff competition in international markets with the end of the global quota system.
   Ismail Gulle, chairperson of Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Assembly, said that the textile industry forecast a 15 percent rise in 2010.
   Gulle said the textile industry might export products worth 6-6. 5 billion dollars at the end of 2010.
   Turkey earned 83.1 billion dollars from its exports in the first 10 months of 2009, according to official statistics.