Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman of the Board İbrahim Burkay stated that the investments they have realized in the last 9 years under the umbrella of BTSO have played an important role in bringing Togg to Bursa, and said, “Togg is a major change in both the automotive supplier industry and the main industry with new generation technologies. and it will transform. While this investment strengthens Bursa's industrial and export center of our country, it will also shape our next 50 years in the automotive industry.” said.
Speaking at the October assembly meeting held in the Chamber Service Building with great participation, President Burkay said that they left behind an election process that befits BTSO's 133-year history. Stating that BTSO has managed to become a single body with its more than 51 thousand members, Chairman Burkay said, “Our understanding that puts our members in the center and our solution-oriented works paved the way for elections in many professional committees with a single list. We experienced a process in which projects competed in committees with multiple lists. I congratulate our 70 council members who will represent their sectors in 155 professional committees in the new term and wish them success.” he said.
Model Projects in Turkey and the World
Stating that BTSO has accomplished very successful projects in the past 9 years, Chairman Burkay said, “We have implemented projects that are role models not only in Turkey but also in the world. Currently, two new industrial zones are being built in Uzbekistan, modeled after TEKNOSAB. As BTSO, we are preparing Bursa for the upcoming period, which is defined as the new economy, with our projects. Conventional areas, where our city is strong, are now being replaced by new technologies. We also need to have a high-tech product range in these areas. At this point, we need centers of excellence and technology development centers that will transform companies. We made these investments under the umbrella of BTSO. We have implemented more than 16 macro projects, from BUTEKOM to Bursa Model Factory, on the way we set out with the target of 60 macro projects.” said.
“If SMEs Are Strong, We Can Evaluate Opportunities”
Referring to the developments in the economy, President Burkay continued his speech as follows: “Our business world is going through a difficult period. Apart from the service and food and beverage sectors after the pandemic that started in the first quarter of 2020, business in many sectors remained positive contrary to expectations. However, with the last quarter of this year, the game is changing in the world. The whole world is facing an inflation that is not caused by cost and demand, but mostly caused by energy. There are uncertainties about how this process will be managed. Here we have our advantages as well as our risks. We can evaluate these advantages only if our SMEs are strong. Last week, we met with our Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mr. Nureddin Nebati, twice. We conveyed a series of support requests, such as inflation accounting and the creation of KGF-supported loan packages for working capital needs. Shortest zamWe hope that these supports will be implemented one by one. We have a difficult process ahead of us. The contraction in foreign trade may also cause some problems in employment. We also have requests regarding the short-time working support that was put into use in the first period of the pandemic. Just like in the pandemic, we need to get through this process with a proactive management approach, together with our council and committee members. The crisis is the crisis of the world, not of Turkey. By putting our human resources at the center here, we will work with all our strength to ensure that our country is among the positively differentiated economies of the process, accompanied by the right policies.”
“Togg Will Provide Big Change and Transformation”
BTSO President İbrahim Burkay reminded that on the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, the official opening of Turkey's automobile Togg's Gemlik Factory and the unwinding ceremony of the first mass production vehicle will be held with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Describing Togg, one of Turkey's symbol projects, as “Local and Bursali”, Chairman Burkay said, “Since the first day, we have worked hard to bring the project to Bursa. The investments we have made in the last 9 years and the efforts of our business world have been the most important factors in Togg's arrival in Bursa. At BUTGEM, we train our youth to be employed within Togg. Togg will provide a great change and transformation in both the automotive supplier industry and the main industry with new generation technologies. While this investment strengthens Bursa's industrial and export center of our country, it will also shape our next 50 years in the automotive industry.” he said.
“We Need to Use Our Resources Correctly”
Mayor Burkay noted that a city or a country needs accurate spatial planning for its sustainable development. Emphasizing that the lack of proper planning in the existing areas, from industry to tourism, will lead to loss of income, Mayor Burkay said, “Not only Bursa has limited resources, but also our country. We need to use these resources correctly. Only 8 per thousand of Bursa's total surface area is industrial area. Half of this is unplanned industrial areas. It is not a destiny to produce in unplanned industrial areas that do not have infrastructure and treatment solutions and do not have developed logistics facilities. You just need to plan. At this point, we are ready for any task. BTSO is the biggest supporter of all kinds of projects that will solve the problems of Bursa. We represent not only the industry of this city, but also tourism, trade, health, informatics and the economy of the city. Bursa business world is at the center of any transformation that will make this geography more livable. Our business world zamhas given full support to every project that benefits Bursa. Every major project that will transform this city bears the signature of BTSO. When something is spoken here, it is not a claim but a reality. If this transformation is going to happen, if these projects are to be realized, we are ready to contribute in every way, as we have done so far.” used his statements.
“BTSO Assembly is Ready to Carry Bursa to a Stronger Future”
BTSO Assembly President Ali Uğur said that they have left behind a period of work that will be remembered with numerous successes in the history of BTSO. Expressing that the macro projects implemented from qualified production to employment, from exports to the service sector are a great source of pride for the business world, Uğur said, “Now, we are starting a new journey to carry Bursa to a stronger future with our 155 council members. Considering the increasing number of members and the changes in the economy during this period, the increase in the number of our professional committees from 63 to 70 will also play a major role in moving the service flag at BTSO further. Our Chamber will increase its contribution to the Turkish economy with its structuring in which the needs of our members can be better met and the sectors will be represented more effectively.” said.
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