Chairman of Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), İbrahim Burkay, emphasized the urgency of relocating approximately 8,000 industrial establishments located within residential areas of Bursa, Türkiye's production and export hub. He stated, "We need to move these companies to planned industrial zones. The 1/100,000 scale master plan for Bursa must be implemented without delay."
Speaking at the Chamber’s Regular Assembly Meeting in July, Burkay noted that production facilities in unplanned urban areas pose significant risks to the city's growth and urban planning. “Half of Bursa’s total industry operates in unplanned areas. We must relocate these businesses to planned zones equipped with modern infrastructure, wastewater treatment facilities, renewable energy resources, logistics areas, and connections to road, rail, and sea transport,” he said. He added that for the past seven years, BTSO has been working to create a structure that enhances Bursa’s competitiveness and ensures a secure future. Burkay highlighted initiatives like the SME Organized Industrial Zone (OSB) and the Logistics Center, stating, "According to a BEBKA study, there are 8,000 businesses within residential areas in Bursa. Over 5,000 firms from various sectors have expressed interest in the SME OSB. It's now imperative to implement the 1/100,000 scale master plan without further delay, moving production from congested areas to modern, well-equipped industrial zones. This will also free up space for new urban developments. Our priority as BTSO is to finalize this plan with consensus among all stakeholders.”
"We Want Enterprises in Unplanned Areas to Be Competitive"
Burkay recalled the successful implementation of the TEKNOSAB project, which was announced in 2016 and became operational within four years. “Today, 11 companies are in production in the region, employing 4,200 people. By the end of the year, 26 more companies will start production, bringing the total to 37, with over 9,000 employees. Additionally, 48 companies have begun groundwork and zoning preparations. By the end of 2025 and mid-2026, 85 companies will be operational. No other region in Türkiye is advancing at this pace. Planned growth, not haphazard development, is what Bursa needs. This will enhance efficiency and ensure healthier and stronger economic growth. We will achieve this by coordinating with all stakeholders,” Burkay said.
"We Will Overcome This Challenging Period Together"
Burkay also addressed economic challenges, noting that the business community is undergoing a significant stress test amid high inflation and interest rates. He acknowledged that current conditions have strained financial balances, reduced profitability, and made credit access costly and difficult. “Despite these challenges, efforts to bring the economy back to a rational trajectory cannot be ignored. The recent credit rating upgrades for Türkiye by international agencies are a significant advantage for attracting new investments. We anticipate that inflation will decline towards the year’s end, allowing the Central Bank to lower interest rates. Some sectors, particularly those focused on the domestic market, need tailored support during this difficult period. Together, we will overcome these challenges,” he said, calling for stronger support from the financial sector for the real economy.
"High-Tech Investment Program a Great Opportunity for Bursa"
Burkay praised the recently announced HIT-30 High-Tech Investment Program by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which allocates $30 billion by 2030 for Türkiye's high-tech transformation. “The technologies shaping the next 50 years have been identified in this package, focusing on next-generation energy vehicles, batteries, chip technologies, solar cells, and wind turbines. Before this program, we established BB Solar to target production ranging from batteries to chips. Bursa is ready to take significant steps in this direction, in line with prevailing conditions. We hope the HIT-30 program will bring great benefits to our country,” he stated.
"We Will Continue Supporting Our Palestinian Brothers"
Addressing the ongoing crisis in Palestine, Burkay condemned the atrocities, stating that tens of thousands of innocent people have been targeted indiscriminately since October 7. He criticized Israel’s attacks as a stain on human history and called for an immediate end to the blockade in Gaza. Burkay thanked the business community for supporting the aid campaign organized by BTSO and the Bursa Governorship for Gaza.
BTSO Assembly President Ali Uğur also condemned Israel’s violent policies, which have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and worsening conditions for survivors. “The massacres in Gaza deeply wound not only Palestinians but all people with a conscience. We thank everyone who has supported the aid campaign for Gaza. We will continue standing with our oppressed and innocent Palestinian brothers with all the resources at our disposal,” he said. |
