Statistics reveal that in 2005, Turkey was the 11th largest textile supplier in the world. Textile and apparel industry accounts approximately eight percent of the country’s GDP and 20 percent of its industrial production.

According to Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporter Associations (ITKIB) estimate, 24 percent of labor force in the country is engaged in manufacturing works of textile industry.

In 2006, the textile industry has earned 23 percent from export, with a value of US $19.7 billion consisting clothing of 1.9 billion pieces weighing 400,000 tons, knitted fabric at 130,000 tons, woven fabric of 300,000 tons and carpets of 130 million square meter.

Italy, Russian Federation, Germany, Romania, US, Bulgaria and Poland are leading export markets for Turkish textiles.

Russian Federation has remained the strongest importer of Turkish textile with exports increased from $270 million in 2004 to $513 million in 2006. Exports to Greece has also boosted up, which increased by 26.5 percent in 2006 and at the end of 2006 stood at $178 million.