The Central Anatolian Exporters Association (OAIB), headquartered in Ankara, Türkiye, is a prominent umbrella organization representing multiple sectoral exporters’ unions under the Ministry of Trade. Operating under the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), OAIB serves as a strategic node connecting exporters in Central Anatolia with global markets. OAIB facilitates international trade for thousands of member companies by promoting, regulating, and supporting export activities in alignment with Türkiye’s national export targets.
Organizational Structure
OAIB functions as a coordinating body for five major sectoral unions:
- Central Anatolian Cereals, Pulses, Oil Seeds and Products Exporters’ Association
- Central Anatolian Furniture, Paper and Forestry Products Exporters’ Association
- Central Anatolian Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Soil Products Exporters’ Association
- Central Anatolian Machinery and Accessories Exporters’ Association
- Central Anatolian Defense and Aviation Industry Exporters’ Association
Together, these unions represent more than 4,000 member companies engaged in manufacturing and exporting a wide range of goods across multiple continents.
Product Categories and Sectoral Reach
OAIB covers an extensive portfolio of export categories, including but not limited to:
1. Cereals, Pulses, Oil Seeds and Products
- Wheat, barley, corn
- Lentils, chickpeas, beans
- Sunflower seeds, sesame, and vegetable oils
- Processed foods like flour, semolina, biscuits, pasta
2. Furniture, Paper and Forest Products
- Modular and office furniture
- MDF, chipboard, and timber
- Paper, cardboard packaging, tissue products
3. Cement, Glass, Ceramics and Soil Products
- Portland cement, clinker
- Ceramic tiles, glass panels
- Brick and construction aggregates
4. Machinery and Accessories
- Industrial processing machinery
- Mechanical components and spare parts
- Agricultural and packaging machinery
5. Defense and Aerospace
- Components for military and civilian aviation
- Armored systems and defense hardware
- Unmanned systems and electronics
Export Volumes and Financial Footprint
According to Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) reports and OAIB’s 2023 performance data:
- OAIB member unions accounted for exports exceeding USD 15 billion in 2023.
- The Cement, Glass, and Ceramics sector alone exported over USD 4 billion, making Türkiye one of the top exporters globally.
- The Furniture and Paper sector contributed USD 3.1 billion, with Europe and the Middle East as primary destinations.
- The Machinery union delivered USD 2.6 billion in exports, driven by demand in Germany, Iraq, and Russia.
- The Defense and Aerospace sector under OAIB recorded USD 1.2 billion in exports, up 18% from the previous year, targeting NATO and friendly nations.
Global Outreach and Trade Support
OAIB is heavily involved in international trade development, capacity building, and promotional activities, including:
- Coordinating national participation in trade fairs such as SIAL (France), Anuga (Germany), and IDEX (UAE)
- Organizing B2B delegation meetings in over 30 countries annually
- Offering online and in-person exporter training, customs procedures education, and technical consultancy
- Operating e-export platforms and supporting digital transformation of SMEs
Compliance and Governance
OAIB ensures that all members comply with national and international trade regulations, including:
- ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 quality management systems
- REACH and CE certifications for industrial products
- HACCP and Halal certifications for food exports
- Periodic audits and sustainability checks
Technological and Strategic Capacity
OAIB is at the forefront of integrating digital systems into trade facilitation:
- Custom ERP and CRM systems for member management
- E-learning and webinar platforms for capacity building
- Export intelligence dashboards using trade data analytics
The association also partners with institutions such as:
- Turkish Standards Institute (TSE)
- TÜBİTAK (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye)
- KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization)
Key Achievements
- Top regional exporters’ union by volume for five consecutive years
- Enabled over 700 SMEs to enter export markets for the first time in 2023
- Developed "Export Academy" – a platform training more than 2,500 exporters annually
- Led Türkiye’s first sector-specific sustainability roadmap for ceramic and defense exports
Testimonials
“OAIB has been instrumental in our growth from a domestic producer to an international exporter. Their guidance and network opened the doors to new markets.”
— Mehmet Tuncel, CEO, Anka Ceramics
“With OAIB’s support, we secured our first defense export contract in the Gulf region. Their strategic know-how and compliance support were game changers.”
— Ayşe Gökhan, COO, Teksav Defense
Future Outlook
OAIB aims to:
- Increase regional exports to USD 20 billion by 2027
- Expand digital trade tools and green trade compliance mechanisms
- Drive innovation in sectors such as defense, agro-processing, and smart machinery
- Strengthen Türkiye’s trade footprint across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America
With its holistic approach and results-driven framework, the Central Anatolian Exporters Association remains a cornerstone of Türkiye’s export economy, offering leadership, vision, and infrastructure for sustained international trade growth.
