I’m on the phone with my Spanish friend, talking about the new year.
The picture on our side is clear: inflation, a suppressed exchange rate, rising costs… In short, a rather pessimistic outlook.
Amid all this pessimism, the Spanish perspective steps in and he says, “A new year requires an optimistic outlook.”
I pause to think…
Yes, on paper, the data for 2026 does not exactly point to a pleasant year.
I look at the dollar exchange rate on January 1, 2025: 36.7 lira.
As I write this on December 23, the dollar is hovering around 42.8.
That means an annual increase of 16.62 in the dollar.
Yet even the inflation rate announced by TÜİK is 31 percent.
We all know whose pocket the difference comes out of!
When you consider the 2026 wage increases that have not yet been reflected in labor costs, along with rising state-related charges, you understand even better the situation producers are facing.
Add to that the fact that in the Gulf market, Chinese companies are offering projects using Turkish stone at much more competitive prices than we can…
The block sales agreement between India and Oman.
Oh dear…
But as we said, we will be optimistic.
A new year means new hopes, new dreams, and good wishes…
Our confidence once again lies in the people of this sector—people who did not stop during the pandemic, who were not discouraged by the stagnation of the block market, who found solutions under every condition and managed to stay standing.
Let us believe that they will create something once again.
Let us believe that they will overcome every obstacle they face.
And that they will find a path to success.
Because a good leader overcomes all obstacles…
Happy New Year…
