Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu explained that Ankara is a city that makes a name for itself in every field, from defense industry to health technology, from construction machinery to high-tech production, and exports industrial products to every corner of the world and to more than 190 countries, drawing attention to the efforts of ASO in this regard.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that, similar to the “star” system in hotels, there is a similar standard for chambers around the world, adding, “Thankfully, today in Türkiye, 290 out of nearly 367 chambers have achieved this accreditation and 5-star status.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the chambers are audited by internationally accredited organizations, saying, “As a result of this audit, our Ankara Chamber of Industry has confirmed that it provides a full 5-star service.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that ASO fulfills its responsibility as a representative mechanism for business people with its institutional capacity and activities, which it develops and increases every year, stating, “ASO increases Ankara’s brand value and carries our city into the future with the projects and work it implements. As both an industrialist and the president of TOBB, I am proud of ASO’s long history and achievements.”

- Vice President Yılmaz

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said in his speech, “Inflation has returned to its main trend, the downward trend. We can predict from leading indicators that this month’s inflation will also be at a good level.”

Yılmaz said that the world economy is growing below its historical averages, world trade is growing even below that, and trade wars are being waged in addition to wars.

Yılmaz pointed out that the policies of major economic actors such as the US, China, and the European Union must be closely monitored and that Türkiye must position itself strategically accordingly, stating, “In the current state of the world, the Turkish economy has grown much faster than the world over the past 22-23 years. While the world grew by an average of 3.5 percent, our economy recorded an average annual growth of 5.4 percent. We grew 1.9 percentage points more than the world each year. This is a significant achievement.”

Yılmaz said they expect the Turkish economy to grow by 3.3 percent this year, adding:

“This year, our economy will exceed $1.5 trillion. Twenty-two to twenty-three years ago, we had an economy worth $238 billion. This year, Allah willing, we will see an economic size exceeding $1.5 trillion. As of last year, we are the 17th largest economy in the world in nominal dollar terms. We are the 12^th largest economy in terms of purchasing power. This year, if the IMF’s forecasts for countries around the world come true, Türkiye will be the 16th largest economy in the world in nominal dollar terms. We will be the 11^th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, if the IMF’s forecasts come true.

On the other hand, there is the World Bank’s classification. They divide countries into four groups: low-income countries, lower-middle-income countries, upper-middle-income countries, and high-income countries. If you ask, ‘What has Türkiye achieved in the last quarter-century?’ Türkiye has risen from lower-middle income to upper-middle income and has become established there. Now, this year, we are at this critical threshold. In light of this year’s developments, Türkiye will become one of the high-income countries for the first time in its history, according to World Bank calculations. For the first time, it will take a step into the high-income countries league, albeit from the lower rung. But this is a more challenging period. What matters here is to remain here and move forward. This requires a qualitative change beyond numerical transformations. You cannot stay in this league just by increasing the numbers. You need to transform your institutions. You need to implement reforms. Not just as a state, but with all elements—companies, public sector, civil society—our country needs to undergo a transformation process.”

- “Over 90% of our exports consist of industrial products.”

ASO President Ardıç pointed out that Ankara, with its extensive production ecosystem encompassing the defense and aviation industries, particularly in the OSTİM, Sincan, Temelli region, İvedik, Kahramankazan, Akyurt, and Siteler areas, is the hub of the country’s knowledge and technology production.

Ardıç stated that ASO, with over 10,000 member companies in 40 professional groups, has adopted the vision of contributing most to Türkiye’s growth and development process for the effective functioning and stable development of the industrial ecosystem. “Therefore, we see this evening not only as an award ceremony, a strong declaration of Ankara’s and our country’s progress towards a more prosperous future based on competitiveness, innovation, and inclusiveness.”

Ardıç pointed out that Ankara has become one of the country’s most strategic centers for exports and employment today with its extensive production chain ranging from defense industry to software, from medical to machinery, and from chemistry to electronics, adding, “Our city is not just a capital; it is also asserting its claim to be the center of production, technology, and exports with a louder voice every day.”

Within the scope of the ASO 62^nd Anniversary Awards Ceremony, 28 industrial companies were honored in five categories: exports, employment, profitability, R&D and innovation, and digital transformation.