Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) Board Chairman Burkay met with the new members of BTSO. Highlighting that network management has become one of the most valuable aspects in the business world, Burkay called on the new members to actively participate in projects.
With over 57,000 members, BTSO, one of the largest chambers of commerce and industry in Turkey, organized an “Information Meeting for Members” to provide more insight into BTSO’s projects. During the meeting, which was attended by BTSO Assembly President Ali Uğur, BTSO Board Members, and the new members, BTSO Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay congratulated the new members, stating, “You have entered the business world during a challenging period. I sincerely congratulate you. I wish your businesses great success. May God grant you prosperity in your endeavors.”
Stating that BTSO has a 135-year-long history, Chairman Burkay said, “Our Chamber, which began its activities in Kozahan, had 1,500 members during the early years of the Republic. Today, in the second century of the Republic, our membership has reached 57,000. BTSO, one of the largest chambers of commerce and industry in Turkey, continues to contribute to the Bursa economy, which is the driving force of Turkey's economy.”
Bursa has succeeded in becoming the center of the economy throughout history
Stating that the key element enabling a city to sustain itself in its geographical location is its local capabilities, President Burkay emphasized that Bursa, which began its journey along the Silk Road, has succeeded in becoming the center of economy and trade throughout history. Highlighting their efforts to carry the city's economic strength into the future, Burkay provided information about Bursa's economic performance. He said, "Bursa has a total foreign trade volume of 28 billion dollars. We have a higher foreign trade performance than many UN member countries. One of the prominent features of Bursa is that it is a city with a foreign trade surplus. If we had 10 cities like Bursa, with a 7 billion dollar foreign trade surplus, our country's current account deficit would be eliminated."
Keep Your Network and Communication Strong
İbrahim Burkay highlighted that Bursa is one of the leading cities in Turkey that generates value, stating, “As BTSO, we create projects in every field, from trade to industry, from services to education, and from tourism to food. We shape these projects based on the requests of our council and committee members who serve in 70 professional committees. It is essential for you to benefit from these projects, reach out to your relevant professional committees, and share your challenges and solutions. In the business world, networking is crucial. In the past, access to capital and information was the most important, but with digitalization, this has changed. Today, network management has become the most valuable aspect. The key skill of successful companies is communication management. You should also keep your network and communication strong. Participate in all our meetings, benefit from our projects, share your ideas, and guide our efforts.”
Our greatest strength is our members.
Emphasizing that the greatest strength of BTSO is its members, President Burkay said: "As BTSO, we open up our members to the world and introduce them to the global stage. Through the events and purchasing delegation activities we organize abroad, we provide opportunities to follow and experience the evolving trends in the global economy. Information is now available everywhere, but accessing experience is not easy. As BTSO, we bring our members together with many entrepreneurs who will help them gain experience and create new networking opportunities."
We ensure the orchestration in the business World
Burkay, who stated that they started with the goal of 16 macro projects when they began their term at BTSO in 2013, noted that they have brought to life more than 60 projects, such as TEKNOSAB, Bursa Business School, GUHEM, KFA Fair Organization, BUTEKOM, and BTSO MESYEB, which serve as examples for Turkey, through collective intelligence. He added that they provide important opportunities for companies that struggle to keep up with global developments due to daily challenges, saying, "We present many things that our members may have missed in the daily hustle and bustle. Our success lies in this. In fact, we are just orchestrating. Fifteen years ago, people would ask what the Chamber does. Now, that question no longer exists. These are all our projects. All your statements should serve the interests of our city."
The Logistics Technopark will enhance our culture of collaboration
Stating that they have elevated Bursa to a different position in Turkey's economy, Burkay also provided information about the TEKNOSAB Logistics Technopark Venture Capital Investment Fund. Burkay said, "We are bringing the TEKNOSAB Logistics Technopark project, which will be established within Turkey's first high-tech organized industrial zone, TEKNOSAB, to life using the Venture Capital Investment Fund model. The entire business community can participate in this fund as investors. Logistics is one of the fastest-growing sectors. There was no such large-scale game plan in the Marmara Basin, where more than 50% of Turkey's economy is shaped. The TEKNOSAB Logistics Technopark is an important project that will shape the future of the region. Customs areas, warehouses, cold storage facilities, truck parking lots, social spaces—essentially, all the necessary infrastructure for the Logistics Technopark will be included in this project. Currently, the application process is ongoing. The investment cost of the project is 210 million dollars. We expect all our members to participate in this project, which will foster our culture of collaboration."
A Tree for Every New Member
Furthermore, BTSO continues to plant trees in the BTSO Memorial Forest for each new member. At the end of the meeting, BTSO Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay presented the prepared tree certificate to Fatih Halisdemir, the relative of 15 July hero Ömer Halisdemir, who opened a new business in Bursa, on behalf of all new members. |
