Turkey Accelerates 7‑Billion‑Dollar Export Target to Islamic Partners, Eyes 30% Share by 2028

Turkey’s initiative to deepen trade ties with Islamic Cooperation Organization (İİT) members has yielded a $41.5 billion export volume in the first seven months of 2026, up $345.7 million from the same period last year.

The Rising Export Corridor to İİT

■Turkey’s trade volume with İİT members grew from $87.6 billion in 2013 to $119.1 billion by 2025, a 1.4‑fold increase.

■The Mid‑Term Plan (2026‑2028) targets a rise in İİT’s share of total exports from 27 % to 30 %.

■Twenty‑one priority countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, etc.) will receive 20 % additional state support.

Fast‑Growing Export Markets

■Egypt: $522.2 million increase to a total of $2.8 billion.

■Libya: $438.5 million increase to a total of $2.2 billion.

■Syria: $296.8 million increase to a total of $2.1 billion.

■Jordan: $227.5 million increase to a total of $1.3 billion.

Sectoral Shifts

■Leading export categories: machinery, mechanical devices and tools; precious and semi‑precious stones; electrical machinery and equipment.

■Leading imports: mineral fuels and oils; precious stones; copper and copper products.

Policies and Expanding Agreements

■Free‑Trade Agreements: Albania, UAE, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Malaysia, Egypt, Tunisia; Preferential Trade Agreements: Azerbaijan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan.

■Agreements with Lebanon and Sudan are expected to enter force once internal approvals are complete.

■Negotiations for a GCC Free‑Trade Agreement and an expanded preferential pact with Pakistan are ongoing.

Turkey’s İİT strategy, supported by regional corridors and projects such as the Middle Corridor, Belt‑and‑Road, and Hejaz Railway, aims to solidify exporters’ positions in global supply chains while opening new high‑growth collaborations across the Gulf, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia.