TPT January 2007

Industry News

Boru 2007: the event for Turkey and the surrounding region

The premier international tube, pipe and fittings exhibition in Turkey – Boru – will return for the third time from 22-25 March 2007, with organisers Ihlas Fuar already confirming double the exhibition space. Strongly established as the largest tube and pipe event in Turkey, Boru will again be held at the ideally located Istanbul World Trade Centre (IDTM). The exhibition is aimed at a broad market including Turkey, the Balkans, North Africa, Middle East, southwest Asia and the Turkic Republics (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Northern Cyprus). With a huge domestic market of 71 million and an increasing consumer spending power, Turkey holds a unique strategic position between Asia and Europe. Turkey offers a vast workforce and competitive manufacturing prices, and has grown into an investment destination for many European and other distinguished international companies. A new report by Mr Hasan Köse of the Turkish Foreign Trade Department for the Tubes, Pipes and Fittings Sector (IGEME), reveals that the Turkish tube and pipe

market has been experiencing considerable growth since 2004. According to the report, there are 50-60 Turkish companies involved in plastic pipes and fittings, 35 iron and steel pipe firms, and 4 companies associated with natural gas, oil and sanitary pipelines. The report states that of the 24.4 million tons of Turkish steel production in 2005,

86 per cent contributed to production of long products, with the welded/ seamless iron and steel tube and pipe industry having a production capacity of 3 million tons. Turkey is the fifth largest steel pipe industry in Europe (after Italy, Germany, UK and France), with exports of metal and plastic tube and pipe reaching US$1.197bn in 2005 (a 25.6 per cent growth). Of this figure, the Turkish ForeignTradeDepartment reveal that in 2005 US$865mn accounted

› Double the exhibition space is expected from 22-25 March at the Istanbul World Trade Centre, while visitor numbers are expected to be substantially up as interest in Boru grows

for export of iron and steel pipes and fittings. In 2005, the USA, UK, Spain, Germany and Iraq were the main export markets. This success has been facilitated by a range of policies from the Turkish government, which has transformed the business stage in Turkey, with movement towards EU membership following agreement of a date for negotiations.

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Turkey is the fifth largest steel pipe industry in Europe... in 2005 US$865mn accounted for export of iron and

Pro-business policies include a new direct investment law effective since 2003, advanced commercial legislation, free movement of capital, and highly liberal foreign investment legislation. It is reported that in 2005 Turkey gained an FDI of US$9.6bn, with similar levels expected for 2006 (UNCTAD, World Investment Report, 2006). This industrial affluence has been mirrored by the popularity of Boru. The 2 nd Boru in 2006 attracted 17,609 visitors and 104 exhibitors, filling two exhibition halls, with reports of a high level of satisfaction from both visitors and exhibitors alike. The 2006 show welcomed international visitors from countries including Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Austria, UK, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries, in addition to the Turkic Republics. Dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of technology, Boru will feature the latest in ferrous and non-ferrous tube and

steel pipes and fittings

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fi Istanbul, at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, will play host to the 3 rd Boru exhibition

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J ANUARY /F EBRUARY 2007