Prior to 1980, Turkey followed an economic policy based on the substitution of imports. Instead of importing, her goal was to manufacture products in the country which would meet the domestic demand. For long periods of time, newly established industrial branches were protected by customs tariffs and other equally effective taxes.

A comprehensive Stability Program with the objective of introducing substantial economic reforms was prepared and applied on January 24, 1980. Thus, Turkey abandoned the industrialization model based on the substitution of imports and adopted another one concentrating on and giving priority to exports.