The turmoil in Iraq is not keeping the Turkish cement exporters away: Sales of cement to Turkey’s southern neighbour more than quadrupled when compared to a year ago. Turkey’s current annual exports of 1Mt are projected to double if Iraq achieves stability.
Cement companies in Mardin, Elazig, Ergani, Urfa, Adiyaman, Gaziantep, Adana, Nigde and Ankara are among the leading cement exporters. The exporters recorded total sales of US$80m in the first seven months of 2004.
Adana Cement Industry led all Turkish cement exporters. Company CEO Ismail Erkovan said, "New investments in Iraq will increase the demand for cement; however there are fluctuations. After the violence ends in Iraq, our exports will increase even more."
Mardin Cement Industry CEO Kemal Dogansel disclosed that the cement exports with Iraq provided Turkey with an important amount of foreign exchange inflow.
