Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat stated that “In the first 9 months of 2024, our exports increased by 3.2 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching $192.8 billion. As of September 2024, our annualized exports have risen by 3.4 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching $261.5 billion.” Minister Ömer Bolat shared on his social media account that, “According to the trade data for September produced in cooperation between our Ministry of Trade and the Turkish Statistical Institute; our exports decreased by 1.9 percent to $22.0 billion. In the first 9 months of 2024, our exports rose by 3.2 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching $192.8 billion. – As of September 2024, our annualized exports have increased by 3.4 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching $261.5 billion. However, in September 2024, imports decreased by 1.4 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, falling to $27.1 billion, and the imports in the first 9 months decreased by 8.0 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching $252.6 billion.” – Minister Ömer Bolat noted that “In September 2024, our annualized imports fell by 7.3 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, dropping to $340.1 billion. As a result, the trade deficit in the first 9 months decreased by 31.7 percent to $59.9 billion, while the export-to-import ratio increased by 8.2 points to 76.3 percent.” Minister Bolat highlighted that tourism revenues reached a record level of $46.9 billion in the first 9 months of 2024, stating: “With the positive trend observed in goods and services trade, it is predicted that the current account surplus will continue in September as well. The slight decline in exports in September is primarily due to calendar effects, with an estimated negative impact of approximately $1 billion. – On the other hand, the decline in gold and energy exports is also noted as a limiting factor for exports. Excluding gold and energy, our exports maintained a strong performance despite weak external demand and negative calendar effects, increasing by 3.3 percent to $20.8 billion in September compared to the same month of the previous year. – Another data announced today by TÜİK regarding tourism statistics states that tourism revenues in the third quarter of the year increased by 3.9 percent to $23.2 billion. Thus, our tourism revenues reached $46.9 billion in the first 9 months of the year. – With our focus on value-added and innovation-driven production to enhance our competitiveness in global trade, we continue our efforts at the Ministry of Trade to ensure sustainable export growth through support mechanisms, commercial diplomacy activities, and our overseas representations.”