Stainless Steel Industry Expects Government Support

Arslan Küçükemre, Chairman of the Board of PASİD, which was established about a year ago, stated that the number of companies operating in the sector is approximately 1. Pointing out that they serve as an association for the development of the sector and the country, regardless of whether they are members or not, Arslan Küçükemre said, “We started out with a different association approximately 500 years ago. We have made significant contributions to our industry through this association. We brought approximately 20 industrial clusters to businesses operating in our sector through the association. This was a huge initiative for our industry. This association has completed its mission. Now we continue as PASID.” said.

STAINLESS STEEL IS NEEDED IN EVERY SECTOR

Stating that stainless steel production is very important for Turkey, Arslan Küçükemre said, “Stainless steel is used in every field you can think of, from kitchen utensils to boat manufacturing, from power plant production to industrial machine parts, from car parts to the aviation and space industry, from building interiors and exteriors to rebars. This puts our industry in a very important position. Stainless steel is needed more in order for our country, which exports approximately 250 billion dollars, to produce more and reach more exports. However, Türkiye meets its entire stainless steel need through imports. An average of 2-2,5 billion dollars of imports are made annually. Imports are around 700-800 thousand tons. As PASİD, we want stainless steel to be produced in our country.” he said.

Emphasizing that Turkey's annual stainless steel need is approaching 1 million tons, Arslan Küçükemre pointed out that the 1 million ton demand required for a production facility has now been reached and said, “A facility with a production capacity of 1 million tons can now be established. However, at this point, private sector investments alone are not sufficient. As a sector, we need serious government support. Because the approximate investment value of a facility with a production capacity of 1 million tons can reach 7-8 billion dollars. This may suddenly seem like a huge investment. Considering that annual imports are 2-2,5 billion dollars, this investment can be made in return for 4-5 years of imports. With such an investment, a very important import item of Turkey can be prevented. "If the state supports and an investment group like TOGG is established, we, as an association, are ready to take responsibility with our companies," he said.

WITH INVESTMENT, THE NATIONALITY RATE INCREASES IN MANY SECTORS

Underlining that stainless steel production is very important for Turkey, Arslan Küçükemre stated that Turkey is working to increase domestic and national production, especially in the defense industry, automotive production and many other sectors, and said, “If we make this investment, we will increase domestic and national production in many sectors. "We can increase domestic production not only in the defense industry or automotive, but also in kitchen production, chemistry, textiles and many other sectors you can think of," he said.