Region-based sectoral reports for key economic sectors were prepared within the scope of the "COVID-19 Crisis Resilience and Response Project" financed by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Industry and Technology and Development Agencies. The 25 region-based sectoral reports, which reveal how fragile sectors including machinery, textile, food, automotive, and logistics were impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, serve as a roadmap to reduce the impact of the crisis in Turkey, particularly for the sectors in production, and to ensure that they are resistant to future crises.

Speaking at the online launch event of the reports, Mustafa Varank, the Minister of Industry and Technology said; “The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which goes far beyond being a health crisis can be perceived in all areas of our daily lives and in every corner of the world. This pandemic is a threat to all humanity, and it does not distinguish between countries. Therefore, the solution to this problem requires a global perspective and global cooperation. This multilateral project, implemented in cooperation with our Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), financed by the Government of Japan, is one of the best examples of international cooperation in combating the global pandemic. In the project, the impacts of the pandemic were handled with a multidimensional approach and detailed regional analyses, which will contribute to the recovery of fragile sectors were made. These regional and sector-based analyses will constitute an important input in our policy-making processes”.

The reports present a current situation analysis by addressing how SMEs in the sector are impacted by the pandemic and reveal policy recommendations, strategies, and actions to move the sectors to a better position.

In addition to 25 region-based fragile sector analysis reports prepared with a participatory approach, a new market analysis and product space analysis study was carried out to ensure business continuity and prevent supply chain disruptions and speed up the development of the key economic sectors during crises.

Nobuhiro Ikuro, Head of JICA Turkey Office remarked; “As the Government of Japan, we gladly support Turkey through international organizations. In particular, we were delighted to support the COVID-19 Crisis Resilience and Response Project. We believe we need to do significant work to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on economies, businesses, and employees. Therefore, we support Turkey's rapid response efforts against COVID-19 and will continue to support sustainable business and business management efforts in the future. We contribute to the development of innovative methods for the recovery of fragile sectors, increasing resilience, and creating sustainable societies in Turkey”.

Louisa Vinton, UNDP Turkey Resident Representative stated, “We believe that these reports will be a roadmap for recovery from the pandemic and help reshape sectors and production, ensure better cooperation and accelerating achievement of the SDGs. Particularly, SDG 17 - Partnership for the Goals, must be the backbone of all our efforts for responding to and recovering from the crisis. Our aim is to “Recover Better Together” from the pandemic without leaving no one behind. We will continue our work with the Ministry of Industry and Technology and Development Agencies through supporting recovery measures to minimize long-term impacts of COVID-19”.

While preparing the reports, basic statistics were compiled using databases and reports of various domestic and foreign institutions as well as TURKSTAT data, and relevant academic studies in the literature were examined. In addition, the opinions of sector representatives were received through nation-wide surveys and focus group meetings conducted with companies in five fragile sectors. All analyses were evaluated by the Working Groups formed with the participation of Development Agencies.

In the reports, the profile of each sector is summarized, the impacts of the pandemic on the machinery, logistics, food, automotive, and textile industries are discussed, the situation in the world and Turkey is revealed, and the analysis of the information obtained as a result of the survey study and focus group meetings are presented along with global trends. In addition, the transition to a low-carbon economy without leaving no one behind is also reviewed by including crisis management, resource efficiency, and gender equality issues. In order to improve the current situation of each sector and to properly meet the new needs emerging in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, policy recommendations and specific strategies and actions are presented to the sectors.

These reports will serve as guides in recovery, reshaping the sectors and production, and increasing regional competitiveness in post-pandemic period.