800 New Companies to Begin Production in Sakarya Within Five Years

Akgün Altuğ, Chairman of the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SATSO), announced that approximately 800 new companies are expected to begin production in Sakarya over the next five years through the completion of ongoing Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) projects, creating employment for 75,000 people.

Speaking at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Women Entrepreneurs Council Marmara Regional Meeting, Altuğ emphasized that the Marmara Region remains the country's production and export hub, with Sakarya continuing to strengthen its position as one of its fastest-growing industrial centers.

"To meet the workforce demand generated by this level of industrial growth, we will rely either on migration or on the remarkable skills and productivity of our women. Entrepreneurial women will continue to play a vital role in sustaining this economic ecosystem," Altuğ said.

He also highlighted Sakarya's significant potential in the service sector alongside its industrial and agricultural strengths.

"We will continue working responsibly to increase women's participation in business and economic life. Our ultimate goal is to transform Sakarya into a city built on planned, environmentally friendly, sustainable, and high-value production," he added.

Women Contribute $1.8 Billion to Sakarya's Exports

Elvan Bilgehan Dikici, Chairwoman of the TOBB Sakarya Women Entrepreneurs Council, stated that Sakarya has become one of Türkiye's leading economic centers across industries ranging from automotive and agriculture to food processing and machinery manufacturing.

"In such a dynamic economy, ensuring that women become more visible, productive, and entrepreneurial is no longer simply a choice—it is an economic necessity," Dikici said.

She noted that women entrepreneurs in Sakarya have significantly increased their presence in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, and exports in recent years, while women's cooperatives have grown stronger and more women have joined supply chains.

"One of the clearest indicators of this progress is that women's contribution to Sakarya's exports has reached USD 1.8 billion, accounting for 18.7% of the province's total exports. When women produce, cities become stronger," she said.

Women Entrepreneurs Drive Economic Development

Nurcan Babalık, TOBB Marmara Regional Representative and Chairwoman of the TOBB Kocaeli Women Entrepreneurs Council, stated that Türkiye is home to approximately 1.23 million women entrepreneurs, describing them as the "unsung heroes" of the country's economic development.

TOBB Entrepreneurship Specialist Sezgi Çiğdem emphasized that TOBB supports women entrepreneurs through 367 chambers and commodity exchanges across all 81 provinces, encouraging cooperation and initiatives aimed at increasing women's entrepreneurship.

"We support every initiative undertaken by our Women Entrepreneurs Councils to promote entrepreneurship among women and strengthen collaboration across the country," Çiğdem said.

Regional Cooperation Strengthens Women's Entrepreneurship

Buse Tellioğlu Altındiş, Chairwoman of the TOBB Balıkesir Women Entrepreneurs Council, said their council continues to work closely with universities, women's organizations, and non-governmental organizations to strengthen women's role in production and entrepreneurship.

Nedime Filiz Eğilmez, Chairwoman of the TOBB Bilecik Women Entrepreneurs Council, stated that newly planned Organized Industrial Zones in Bilecik will create fresh opportunities to increase women's participation in industry and entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, Hayrete Yenikan, Chairwoman of the TOBB Yalova Women Entrepreneurs Council, said their projects focus not only on production but also on helping women market and sell their products more effectively.

"We attach great importance to women's participation in the economy and will continue developing projects that strengthen their economic presence," Yenikan said.