Turkish exporters of iron and non ferrous metals said that they expect overseas sales to return to 2007 levels next year after falling by a third in the first 10 months of 2009 amid the global economic slowdown.

Mr Tahsin Oztiryaki head of the Istanbul Association of Iron and Non Ferrous Metals Exporters said that exports will rise to about USD 6 billion next year as new markets open up.

R Oztiryaki said that producers are expected to boost sales to Libya and Syria next year.

He added that Turkish exports of iron and non ferrous metals declined by 33.8% to USD 3.48 billion in the January to October period. Turkey may wind up at the end of the year with a deficit in the metals, it added.

According to the Turkish Assembly of Exporters, overall Turkish exports have sunk 30% so far this year.