İbrahim Burkay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), said that Bursa, which has succeeded to remain the production and trade capital of Turkey throughout history, will definitely be an essential player in the 'Türkiye Century'. President Burkay said, "We will continue to work tirelessly, relentlessly and unwaveringly determined to position our country among the world's 10 largest economies. Because we believe in ourselves and trust our country."
BTSO Chairman İbrahim Burkay, Assembly Chairman Ali Uğur and Assembly members attended the October Assembly Meeting held in the BTSO Assembly Hall, which was decorated with Turkish flags for the 100th anniversary of the Republic. Speaking at the meeting, BTSO Chairman İbrahim Burkay said that they celebrate the centenary of the Republic with great excitement and pride.
A century ago, after a period of national struggle unprecedented in history, the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed. Stating that Turkey has made important breakthroughs after the establishment of the Republic, President Burkay said, "I commemorate with respect, mercy and gratitude our revered fallen, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, and his comrades-in-arms, who sacrificed their lives for the land of the homeland."
"Full Independence Is Possible Only with Economic Independence"
Referring to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words "Full independence is only possible with economic independence.", President Burkay said that the first steps of the Republic were taken with this vision. "Turkey, despite the scarce capital it had even during the period of national struggle, embarked a new period of struggle in the economic field and planted the first seeds of industrialization." said President Burkay and continued his speech as follows: "Following the decisions taken at the Izmir Economic Congress convened just before the proclamation of the Republic, domestic and national initiatives were put into practice, and factories, banks and railways became the new weapons of our young Republic. In the first 5-year industrial plan of our Republic, Merinos, İpek-İş and Gemlik Artificial Silk factories were commissioned in Bursa. After 100 years of great adversity, we managed to increase our gross domestic product to 1 trillion dollars, our exports to 255 billion dollars and our per capita national income to over 12 thousand dollars. In the second century of our Republic, we need to carry these achievements even further. To this end, we will continue to think big and dream big. Together, we will build an economy that is compatible with the requirements of a rapidly changing world and can compete on a global scale."
"Bursa, the Pioneer City of Industrial Advances"
According to President Burkay's statement, Bursa is one of the top cities in Turkey when it comes to industrial advancements.
Burkay further added that the historical projects initiated and completed by BTSO within the past decade will define the city's future for the next century. President Burkay announced that with over 60 large-scale projects, they have developed the genetic codes required by the new economy. He continued, "Bursa was the first city in our country to establish an organized industrial zone during the first century of our Republic. Now, Bursa is beginning the next century of Türkiye realizing another first by establishing a high-tech production and export center such as TEKNOSAB. Bursa embarked on its first export venture with the Black Sea Ferry, which was designed as a mobile trade show and exhibition platform in 1926, to stimulate economic growth of our young Republic. Today, Bursa exports to over 200 countries and customs territories thanks to the Global Fair Agency, sectoral fairs, procurement delegations, International Competitiveness Projects (UR-GE), and HISER initiatives.
"Bursa Will Take Its Place Among the Most Important Actors of Turkey's Century"
President Burkay emphasized that in the era of international competition, the power of countries is determined by the cities and regions, and cities like Bursa, as production centers, need a new perspective to strengthen their locomotive mission. He stated, "Supporting our industry, which provides a high level of added value to the city's economy with an 8‰ share in the 10,800 square kilometers of Bursa, with new investment areas suitable for economies of scale and supporting capacity expansion, will lead the 'Century of Turkey' to a much brighter future. Our integrated Logistics Centers with modern infrastructure, storage areas, and a strong trade network within the SME OSB, aiming to allow small and medium-sized companies in the manufacturing industry to sustain their activities in planned industrial areas, will also be the result of the same effort. If we can achieve all this, Bursa, which has succeeded in being the capital of production and trade throughout history, will take its place among the most important actors in the second century of our country. In the 'Century of Türkiye,' we will continue to work tirelessly and persistently with the determination and belief to postion our country among the world's top 10 economies because we believe in ourselves and trust our country."
"BTSO's Initiatives Continue to Deliver Results"
President Burkay highlighted in his speech the current economic developments and how BTSO's initiatives have yielded positive outcomes in numerous sectors. Reminding that they held the 'Bursa Business World Meeting' in October with the participation of Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, İbrahim Burkay stated, "In this important meeting, we consulted with Minister Bolat and ministry officials on the demands of our sectors and our proposed solutions. Many important regulations that have improved trade life were implemented promptly after. The cost of loans granted to our exporters dropped by approximately 15 percent. The definition of SME was regulated, increasing company limits. An extended timeframe was implemented for inward processing licences, allowing our exporters to import with customs exemption. Obligations for banks to establish securities against real sector bonds that they purchase with loans was lifted. I express my gratitude to our economy governance for all these measures.
"Enterprises' Financing Needs Have Increased"
President Burkay pointed out that the high inflation environment reduces investment appetite and erodes companies' equity, and changes in interest rate policies have made it even more difficult for businesses to access finance. He mentioned that the need for resource inflow has increased significantly, and added that the regulations to be made in this regard will give businesses a breath of fresh air.
"Peace must be restored in Gaza as soon as possible"
Regarding the developments in Gaza, President Burkay said, "A great crime against humanity is being committed in Gaza, where pain and tears prevail. Hospitals, places of worship, schools are being heavily bombarded without any distinction. An unprecedented massacre is taking place in front of the eyes of the whole world, from babies in swaddling clothes to old people. I strongly condemn Israel's attacks against the Palestinian people and I sincerely hope that this massacre will end and the region will achieve a lasting peace as soon as possible."
"We Will Continue to Work in Unity and Solidarity"
"We will continue to work in unity and solidarity"
BTSO Assembly President Ali Uğur said that they are proud and excited to reach the 100th anniversary of the Republic. Ali Uğur said, "Our nation, which crowned its national struggle with the establishment of the Republic on October 29, 1923, has managed to turn every challenge it has faced in the history of the Republic into the beginning of a new venture. In the second century of the Republic, we need to continue to work in unity and solidarity to maintain these achievements, to carry them further and to increase the welfare of our nation. On this occasion, I commemorate the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and all his comrades-in-arms with mercy and gratitude."
"The First Turkish Flag in Space was Exhibited at the BTSO Assembly"
The Turkish flag that Russian Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev took to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 66/67 missions, gifted to GUHEM for the 100th anniversary of the Republic, was exhibited in the BTSO Assembly Hall. |
