Denizli, which was a small town of 12.000 people in the 1920' s when the Turkish Republic was founded. Today, it is the second industry and tourism center in Aegean Region after Izmir, with its population of 800.000. Today Denizli, that is located on fruitful fields and has an historical past, is the 23th of Turkey provinces for population, 13th for economical activities and 9th for development of industry.

The velocity of textile industry progress in Denizli has been an important factor that motivates the improvement of textile industry in Turkey. In spite of weaving had been made by hand or semi automatic weaving machines for along country marketing till 1980, in 1980's recognition of exportation politics lead people to build up new and modern industry plants. As a result, along with the rapid production increase took place in 1980's, exportation made from Denizli has grown bigger year by year and reached approximately 1 billion dollars today. Still now, at modern plants, alongside the mainly producted towel, bathrobe and bed sheet, a huge production is being made in textile area and exportation is provided to over 100 countries.

Denizli have been successful in integrating into the global market via İzmir and İstanbul. Denizli manufacturers have increased their textile exports to the EC and the USA in recent years. There are some important indicators of the growing integration of local markets into the global economy. The economic reports of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce point to an increasing rate of exports from Denizli to the USA and Western Europe since the 1980s. The export values of towel and bathrobe, greatest portions of textile and clothing export products of Denizli, has reached the 50% of total amount of exports that Turkey summed up on these products. Along with EU countries like Germany, United Kingdom and France exportation is being done to the countries like USA and Canada too. Especially the bathrobe export made to the USA in the scope of CAT.350 is the one to pay attention. The 40% of import made by USA in the scope of CAT.350 from all over the world is provided by Turkey and the 70% of this portion is provided by Denizli.

Denizli has a wide range of businesses integrated into the Istanbul and Izmir markets as well as the national market. Apart from textiles, the main crafts are iron and metal work, food processing, plastics, wooden furniture and tanning workshops.

Denizli is also lucky to have a diverse economy. Apart from industrial and service firms, it also has a fertile agricultural hinterland, and rich historical and natural resources.

International tourism has been developing fast in recent years and the city is visited by more than one million tourists every year. Its location along the popular tourist routes of Izmir, Antalya and Cappadocia increases Denizli's potential to attract a larger number of tourists. This potential encourages service investments in the town.

Adnan YILDIRIM

General Manager