Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Chief: Near-Shoring Is a Historic Opportunity for Turkey
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce President Sekib Avdagic said European buyers shifting to near-shoring supply strategies presents Turkey with a historic window of opportunity. He also called on SMEs to adapt their operations to artificial intelligence.
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) President Sekib Avdagic said European buyers are accelerating their shift toward near-shoring supply strategies to reduce global supply chain risks, positioning Turkey as one of the primary beneficiaries of this structural realignment. Disruptions deepened by the US-Iran conflict and rising cost pressures from US tariffs have sharpened Europe's urgency to diversify suppliers.
Avdagic highlighted Turkey's geographic proximity to European markets, competitive labor costs, and robust industrial base as key advantages in attracting near-shoring investment. He stressed, however, that Turkish SMEs must adapt their production and business processes to artificial intelligence technologies to convert this trend into sustained growth.
The ITO statement comes as Turkish exporters grapple with freight costs that have surged as much as 40% since the Iran conflict escalated, alongside a broader wave of global protectionism. A sustained near-shoring shift could open new export opportunities for Turkey across textiles, automotive components, and electronics.
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