We Moved Forward on a Path of Controlled Growth in the City Economy

Akgün Altuğ, President of Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry

President of the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SATSO), Akgün Altuğ, stated that they are planning 2026 as a period in which steps that increase productivity in manufacturing and accelerate digital transformation will come to the forefront. Speaking at the final assembly meeting of 2025, President Altuğ noted that while the Sakarya economy did not contract in 2025, it also did not experience rapid growth, and said:

“As a city economy, we focused on staying resilient, protecting employment, and moving forward along a line of controlled growth. Social Security Institution (SGK) data for the 2024–2025 period also show that the Sakarya economy has followed a moderate but stable course under current conditions. On the other hand, we will lay the foundations in the spring for the Model Factory ‘Digital Transformation and Productivity in Manufacturing Center’ at our chamber campus. As the Sakarya business community, we will regard 2026 as the year of productivity and digital transformation.”

Karasu Port

Regarding Karasu Port, Akgün Altuğ said:

“Karasu Port is a strategic point in terms of Sakarya’s foreign trade and logistics capacity. A new phase has been reached at the ministerial level for the dredging and capacity expansion works at the port, which our chamber has been closely monitoring for a long time. Due to increasing industrial cargo volumes and the insufficiency of the port’s current depth, an additional investment plan has been prepared that includes further deepening, quay reinforcement, and new storage areas. This project will make the port suitable for higher-tonnage vessels, increase handling capacity, and strengthen our city’s exports. In addition, with the ongoing 62-kilometer railway line in the region, the port is aimed to be transformed into an integrated logistics center. The completion of this process will bring significant economic vitality and employment to Sakarya. As SATSO, we are closely following this process to accelerate this critical investment and we are supporting IC İçtaş Karasuport in this project.”

Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board of Directors

At the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Assembly meeting, a budget vote was also held. Following the vote, SATSO’s 2026 budget was approved at 303 million 515 thousand Turkish liras.