Honourable Governor,
Honourable Brigade Commander,
Honourable Mayor,
Honourable Gendarmerie Commander,
Honourable Chief of Police,
Distinguished Representatives of our Protocol,
Esteemed Members of our Assembly,
Valued Chairmen of our Professional Committees,
Respected Members,
Distinguished Guests,

We are experiencing the serenity of gathering around the same table during the spiritual atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan. Iftar tables are not merely the moments when we break our fast; they are special occasions when hearts soften, solidarity is strengthened, and grievances are left behind.

This evening, we are gathered here not merely for a chamber meeting, but as individuals who shoulder the burden of production in the same city.

Although we operate in different sectors, we share a common objective: to expand Kütahya’s production, employment, and prosperity.

Our Kütahya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KUTSO) is approaching a very important milestone. As we move closer to the 100th anniversary of our establishment, we understand more clearly that the true strength of an institution lies not in individuals but in its institutional accumulation and continuity.

For nearly a century, KUTSO has represented the productive strength, entrepreneurial spirit, and collective wisdom of Kütahya.

The institutional capacity we possess today is the natural result of years of dedicated effort, accumulated experience, and a strong institutional culture.

When we look at KUTSO, we see a deeply rooted institutional journey shaped by the contributions of many different periods, ultimately bringing us to where we stand today. This journey has been formed through the collective contributions of the Kütahya business community.

Today, we carry out our duties with the responsibility of safeguarding this well-established institutional legacy.

Our objective is to further strengthen this heritage and carry KUTSO into its second century as a stronger, more effective institution that generates greater value for its members.

Throughout my term of office, I have always prioritised establishing direct contact with our members.

As you know, in recent months we have come together with the members of our 14 professional committees. In total, we met with 1,042 businesspeople, representing approximately 20% of our total membership. This has provided us with a highly valuable area of engagement.

My primary aim in these meetings was to listen directly to the challenges faced by the sectors from you. However, we took this one step further. At each meeting, we conducted a survey to measure expectations and also to receive feedback regarding the performance of our administration.

We will share the detailed results separately. However, I would particularly like to note that the results of the survey indicated a success rate of 84% for our administration.

This is a figure we should all take pride in. This success belongs not merely to an administration, but to a Board of Directors working collectively, to active professional committees, and to a strong institutional discipline.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Board of Directors, our Assembly Members, and all colleagues working within the organs of our Chamber for their dedicated efforts.

Allow me to share one more figure. I am pleased to report that our membership fee collection rate has increased from 53% to 74%. This increase is not merely a financial indicator; it is also a tangible reflection of our members’ trust in and satisfaction with our Chamber. Because membership dues represent not only an obligation, but also an indicator of commitment to the institution.

However, I do not regard these figures as a reason for complacency, but rather as a source of motivation to achieve even better results.

The picture that has emerged from our sectoral meetings is very clear:

The Kütahya business community wants to grow.
It wants to produce.
It wants to invest.

However, there are three fundamental obstacles standing before this determination:

• Shortage of qualified personnel

• Difficulties in accessing finance

• Increasing cost pressures

These challenges are no longer sectoral; they have taken on a structural character.

Our members expect from us not merely information, but strong representation and effective follow-up on solutions. Combating the informal economy and unfair competition, active advocacy before public authorities, guidance in accessing finance, and concrete steps regarding human resources stand before us as clear demands.

We will not leave this trust unanswered.

These findings will not remain on shelves. We will develop concrete programmes aimed at human resources. We will establish stronger guidance mechanisms regarding financing. We will create a more active representation channel between sectors and public institutions.

In other words, we listened, we understood, and we are taking action.

What does “taking action” mean?

I have tasked the Secretariat of our Chamber with transforming the demands emerging from each professional committee into a concrete action plan. We will transparently share with you what steps we take under each heading.

We do not hold these meetings merely to come together. We hold them to listen to our members and to transform their demands into tangible results.

I would also like to underline the following point:

Today, KUTSO possesses a strong capacity of representation not only in Kütahya but also in Ankara and national platforms. Our contacts within the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), our meetings with relevant ministries, and our proactive approach to conveying the challenges of our sectors directly to decision-making authorities continue steadily.

We are also strengthening this representation capacity at the international level. Within the framework of overseas business delegation programmes organised under the leadership of our Chamber, we held significant trade and investment meetings with the participation of 45 businesspeople in the United States and 20 businesspeople in Egypt. For the business delegation programme planned for China in April, we anticipate the participation of 65 businesspeople. Through these visits, we aim to support our members’ access to new markets and further strengthen the international trade network of the Kütahya business community.

In addition, through the projects we implement within the scope of European Union programmes, we continue to enhance both the institutional capacity of our Chamber and the competitiveness of our members. Our Chamber has been awarded the KA120-VET Accreditation in the field of Vocational Education and Training under the Erasmus+ Programme 2021–2027, achieving a significant success by ranking among the top 14 institutions out of 144 across Türkiye.

With this result, KUTSO has become one of the four accredited chambers in Türkiye since 2020, joining institutions such as the Adana Chamber of Commerce, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, and the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce.

Within the scope of this accreditation, 22 vocational course teachers will have the opportunity to receive training abroad, while 48 of our students will undertake internships in Europe, enabling them to develop their professional skills.

We believe that these initiatives will make a significant contribution to the development of vocational education in Kütahya and will provide an important foundation for our young people to prepare more strongly for the future through international experience.

We preserve our representation power not through rhetoric, but through consistent engagement, data-driven approaches, and results-oriented follow-up. The reputation of institutions may begin with past achievements, but their sustainability is ensured by today’s performance. We act with this awareness.

The strength of KUTSO derives from the productive power of its members and its institutional seriousness. Protecting and advancing this strength is our responsibility.

My understanding of governance is clear:

To progress not through polemics but through performance,
Not through disputes but through solutions,
Not through personal agendas but through institutional objectives.

The true owners of KUTSO are its members. The decision ultimately belongs to the members. We are temporary; the will of our members is permanent. In the end, the evaluation will be made by you.

We are not in competition with anyone. We are only in competition with the potential of Kütahya.

In the spirit of this blessed month, I would like to conclude with the following:

As I often emphasise, division brings hardship, while unity brings mercy.

If we remain united, we are strong.
If we consult one another, we find the right path.
If we stand in solidarity, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome.

May Almighty God accept our fasts. May He grant abundance to our tables, ease to our work, and peace to our city.

Thank you all for your participation.

I wish you a blessed Ramadan.