Turkish Clothing Manufacturers' Association (TCMA)

Türkiye Giyim Sanayicileri Derneği (TGSD)

Currently, TGSD has approximately 400 members representing some of the nicest brands coming out of Turkey.  To those who are looking to work with their membership they can help you with sourcing and getting you going with that initial contact.   Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association was founded in 1976 with the purpose of enhancing the environment developing the clothing industry in Turkey, promoting the sector abroad and achieving sectoral cooperation.  Cem Negrin is providing leadership this year as the Chairman of the Board.

Cem Negrin, who took over the presidency from Ahmet Nakkaş, has made exports to the United States a key topic.  Cem will work to increase Turkey’s textile exports to the U.S., which declined to $300 million from $1.5 billion a few years ago. To this end, he aims to utilize Qualified Industrial Zones, or QIZ.  Speaking on the association’s strategies to business daily Referans, Negrin said that $300 million in U.S. exports is not sufficient for Turkey.

Noting that TGSD also plans to offer some strategies to create a world brand from Turkey, Negrin said, “If Mango and Zara are brands from Spain, why can Turkey not launch a brand? If these brands took support from the Spanish government, why does the Turkish government not offer support to Turkish brands? With a common study we can determine which brands can be launched. But the brands should be supported with sufficient figures, not only with a few million dollars.”

As one of the main events in the Turkish Textile calendar, Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association undertakes the Istanbul Fashion Apparel Conference.  An outstanding conference if you have a chance to attend.  Along with the programs there is a wonderful opportunity in a nice environment to meet producers and local brands.  It has become an important place to rub shoulders with others that are in the same field; your sourcing partners will be there, and there’s even the chance to make contacts with industry standouts.   Buying groups that collectively purchase $7 to $8 billion from Turkey each year attend.