The Economy Awards ceremony organized by the Malatya Branch of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD) was held with the participation of President Abdurrahman Kaan

The Economy Awards ceremony organized by the Malatya Branch of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD) was held with the participation of President Abdurrahman Kaan

The ceremony was attended by Governor Aydın Baruş, AK Party Malatya Deputies Hakan Kahtalı and Ahmet Çakır, Malatya Metropolitan Mayor Selahattin Gürkan, Battalgazi Mayor Osman Güder, İnönü University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kızılay, former Malatya deputy Mustafa Şahin, Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Assembly Chairman Hasan Özkan, Commodity Exchange Chairman Ramazan Özcan, AK Party Provincial Chairman İhsan Koca and the region's leading businessmen.

Speaking first at the programme, MÜSİAD Malatya President Muharrem Boyraz said that they would present awards to employers and institutions contributing to the Malatya economy in the categories determined by the Sector Boards Unit as a result of months of work.

"The only salvation is to produce"

Noting that Türkiye has recently fallen into what is almost a vicious circle, Boyraz said, “Producing goods and values carries very great meaning for a province and for a country. Just as you reduce the current account deficit, you set dozens, hundreds of sectors in motion; you provide food for households and hope for the future. You prevent the country's resources from flowing abroad. While producing and adding value, you achieve development along with growth".

"The Business World Is Growing Very Weary"

MÜSİAD President Abdurrahman Kaan, speaking at the programme, expressed that the business world had grown very weary and said, "In a developing country your struggle is very different. In such a struggle, award ceremonies make you forget all the difficulties and increase your motivation. Such organizations exist throughout MÜSİAD, but this evening organized by our Malatya branch adds value to our business world".

Emphasis on Brand Cities

Stating that achieving sustainable economic and social development at the national level and eliminating the imbalance between regions is possible through regional development, Kaan said that civil society organizations assume an important role at this point.

Recalling that in the future cities rather than countries will compete, Kaan said, "Even today this is the case. When you look today, states are not talked about. London, Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Los Angeles, İstanbul are talked about. We want to place Malatya, Antalya, Bursa and Gaziantep among them as well. But in order to turn these cities into brands, politicians, the business world and NGOs must act together in a more organized manner".

"We Need to Raise These Figures Further in Order to Become a Brand City"

Touching on the Malatya economy as well, Kaan said that the city had a size of approximately TRY 12 billion, which corresponds to 0.5 percent of the national economy. Noting that exports stood at around USD 340 million, Kaan said, "We need to raise these figures further in order to become a brand city. But of course we applaud Malatya's exporting to 109 countries. I believe that if we increase production we will also capture a very serious potential".

"USD 217 Billion in Direct Investment in 17 Years"

Stating that approximately USD 217 billion of direct investment came to Türkiye in 17 years, Kaan said that the investment climate in Türkiye needed to be eased in order for investments to increase.

Stating that Türkiye had risen from 61st to 43rd place among investable countries, Kaan said, "While competing with our rivals around the world to attract investment to Türkiye, we also attach great importance to these incentives and region-based efforts. When we increase them, we will bring you together with the actors of the world. We will encourage investment in these regions".

The Award Winners Are as Follows:

Investment Awards of the Year

Akif Baştürk

Hüseyin Çınar

Özcan Mercan

Ergin Erdemir.

"Export Record Holders of the Year

Abubekir Meşe

Yusuf Özdal

İsmail Aslan

Mustafa Tosun.

Employment Awards of the Year

Abdulkadir Üzmez

Mehmet Haskul

Abdullah Canpolat

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Eray İlbay

Innovation Awards of the Year

H.Ahmet İlhan

Sinan Akıncı

Entrepreneurship Awards of the Year

Osman Yağız

Tahsin Öner

Tax Record Holders Ranking in the Top 100 for 2017

Muharrem Poyraz

Recai Şahin

Mustafa Özhüsrev

Basri Yaşar

Bayram Dağaşan.

Institutions of the Year

Fırat Development Agency

KOSGEB

TKDK

İŞKUR

İnönü University Technopark