Turkish goods overwhelm Aleppo markets, threatening to close local workshops

Al-Modon newspaper reported today that "Aleppo markets have been overwhelmed with Turkish goods, especially ready-made clothing, threatening to close the city's well-known local manufacturing workshops."

The newspaper quoted Mustafa al-Youssef, the owner of a children's clothing workshop, as saying: "Most merchants have turned to Turkish goods because of their low prices, and we cannot compete with them in light of the high cost of materials and the power outages." He added that "a recession is hitting the market despite the approaching Eid season."

It also quoted Abdullah al-Najjar, a men's clothing merchant, as saying, "Turkish goods are cheaper despite the high customs tariffs, and this has increased demand for them." He warned of "wholesale traders completely shifting to imported goods, which would be a severe blow to local production."

Economic expert Radwan al-Debs believes that "the solution lies in supporting industrialists, restricting imports, and raising customs duties, while reducing production costs, providing electricity, and encouraging exports and exhibitions."

In the same context, al-Modon reported that "the Aleppo Chamber of Industry held a dialogue session to discuss the challenges, most notably the entry of smuggled and low-quality clothing and the high prices of energy carriers, which exacerbate the production crisis."

Muayyad Najjar, a representative of the Chamber of Industry, confirmed that the Chamber is working with the relevant authorities to resolve problems related to electricity, customs, and the production environment in general.

T/S

ANHA