The Traditional Iftar Program, organized every year in the first week of Ramadan by the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD), was held at the MÜSİAD Head Office with the participation of Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Burhan Özdemir and more than 2,000 MÜSİAD members.
The Traditional Iftar Program that MÜSİAD holds in the first week of every Ramadan was organized with the participation of Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat. At the program, held in the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan, the month of mercy, abundance and brotherhood, MÜSİAD's founding cadres, its members and representatives of the business world, civil society and the public sector came together around the same table. The iftar program, which took place with a large turnout, was the scene of messages in which the emphasis on unity and solidarity came to the fore.
Minister Bolat: “This Iftar Is the Great Gathering of a 35-Year Togetherness”
Speaking at the program, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat stated that this traditional iftar program, which MÜSİAD has been holding for more than 35 years, is a large and meaningful gathering that brings together representatives of the business world, the public sector and civil society under the same roof once a year.
Emphasizing that since the day it was founded MÜSİAD has been a strong structure that assumes responsibility not only in the economic field but also in foreign policy, social life and development, that develops proposed solutions to problems and that spreads from Türkiye to the world, Bolat said that the association's priority has always been to serve Türkiye.
Stating that they work with the understanding of “Türkiye first, our people first”, Bolat said that Türkiye has made very great progress in the last 23 years and expressed that the business world and citizens have witnessed this development most closely. Emphasizing that Türkiye's visibility and influence in the world are increasing with each passing day, Bolat said that the country's star shines strongly on a global scale.
Touching also on the size the Turkish economy has reached, Bolat stated that an economic volume of USD 1.6 trillion is spoken of today and noted that per capita national income has increased more than 5.5-fold in the last 23 years. In his assessment of export figures, Bolat recalled that Türkiye closed last year with USD 273.4 billion in goods exports and USD 122.2 billion in services exports and stated that they continue to work with determination together with the business world towards the target of USD 400 billion in exports.
Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan: “MÜSİAD Is the Silent but Strong Witness of Türkiye's Growth Story”
In his speech, İlim Yayma Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan emphasized that MÜSİAD, with its institutional history approaching 35 years, is a most valuable civil society structure that has accompanied Türkiye's economic and social transformation.
Stating that during this period they have witnessed Türkiye's growth, its strengthening and its greater integration with the world, Erdoğan expressed that in the same period the business people within MÜSİAD have also expanded their fields of activity and reached a more effective position on a global scale.
Noting that Türkiye has moved from an economic size of around USD 300 billion to a structure reaching trillions of dollars and that per capita income and export capacity have increased considerably, Erdoğan stated that behind these developments lie a strong vision, a stable stance and a determined will to work.
Stating that in this process MÜSİAD has assumed an exemplary role not only through economic production but also through its moral stance, its sense of responsibility and its long-term perspective, Erdoğan drew attention to the need for the business world and civil society to think on a global scale and to continuously improve their competitiveness. Expressing that the MÜSİAD community has the strength to carry this claim with the experience and infrastructure it possesses, Erdoğan wished that the blessing of the month of Ramadan would further increase this joint effort.
Burhan Özdemir: “Unity and Determination Are Our Greatest Strength in Shaping the Future”
President of MÜSİAD Burhan Özdemir, for his part, drew attention in his speech to the vision of civilization and the sense of responsibility that MÜSİAD has carried from its foundation to the present day. He emphasized that MÜSİAD, beyond being merely an economic structure, is a strong community shaped around a common mindset, a body of values and a direction.
Stating that Türkiye is advancing through the global and regional transformation process it is going through with the strength given by strong leadership, determination and mental resilience, Özdemir expressed that the MÜSİAD community has been an important part of this process in every period with its production-, employment- and export-oriented contributions.
Expressing that behind the success stories extending from Anatolia to global markets lie patience, labour and faith, Özdemir said that MÜSİAD acts with the awareness of its historical responsibility and that the spirit of unity further reinforces its determination for the future.
The program ended with the taking of a family photograph.
