Work to Establish a Free Zone in Karasu to Begin

Economy-Based Civil Society Organizations Meeting, SAKARYA

The Regular Consultation Meeting, traditionally organized by Sakarya’s economy-based non-governmental organizations, was held. Hosted by Zafer Bekdemir, President of the Sakarya Young Entrepreneurs and Businessmen Association (SAKARYAGİAD), the meeting took place with the participation of Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SATSO) Chairman Akgün Altuğ and the heads of various NGOs.

The following representatives attended the meeting: Şamil Dedeoğlu, President of the Economy and Trade Association (ETD) Sakarya Branch; Halil Erol, President of the Anatolian Lions Businessmen Association (ASKON) Sakarya Branch; Özkan Pınar, President of the Production and Trade Council (ÜTİK); Naim Yener, President of the All Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TÜMSİAD) Sakarya Branch; Ali Tamer Birlik, President of the Sakarya Industrialists and Businessmen Association (SASİAD); Baki Demir, President of the Entrepreneur Businessmen Foundation Sakarya Branch; Ertuğrul Kurşun, Vice President of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD) Sakarya Branch; Cengiz Bayar, Vice President of Sakarya Contractors Union; İlker Çatalbaş, Vice President of Sakarya Machinery Manufacturers Association (SAMİB); Zafer Tan, Vice President of the Asrın Businessmen Association (ASRİAD) Sakarya Branch; and SATSO Secretary General Şevket Kırıcı.

Different NGO chairpersons host the meetings, which are held at regular intervals. During the gatherings, evaluations are made on the city’s socioeconomic development, the needs and expectations of the business world, ongoing projects, and completed activities. Decisions focusing on the development of Sakarya are taken, and efforts are carried out accordingly.

Zafer Bekdemir, President of Sakarya Young Entrepreneurs and Businessmen Association (SAKARYAGİAD)

Speaking at the meeting, SAKARYAGİAD President Zafer Bekdemir emphasized the importance of consultation for Sakarya and said that the meetings exemplify a strong unity based on collective wisdom.

Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Akgün Altuğ

Greenhouse Organized Industrial Zone and Organized Agricultural Zone

SATSO Chairman Akgün Altuğ summarized his remarks as follows:

“We will continue to come together around this table with a mindset of collective wisdom for every initiative that benefits our city. Sakarya is a center of attraction with promising potential and strong advantages in every field. We now have a research university. Our Logistics Organized Industrial Zone has also been approved. We are working for our city to become a hub that produces in every field and has strong production operations. In addition to the railway project—approved to be integrated with the Logistics OIZ and planned to connect to Karasu Port—we plan to carry out efforts to establish a Free Zone in Karasu. In our city, where production is intense, a free zone connected to Karasu Port is a necessity and would contribute to our production dynamics. Alongside our industrial production initiatives, we are also preparing for new-generation agricultural practices such as the Greenhouse Organized Industrial Zone and the Organized Agricultural Zone, which will reduce costs and increase efficiency in agriculture. Together with the local authorities, we are striving to elevate production, agriculture, services, and trade across all sectors in our province.”