EIB Honored 17 Firms from Balıkesir

Forex - The Aegean Exporters' Associations hosted the first meeting of the Business World Meetings series, which aims to explain the "Responsible Support Program" launched by the Ministry of Trade to comply with the European Union Green Deal regulations and other government aids, at the Balıkesir Chamber of Commerce. After the opening speeches by Yalçın Ertan, Coordinator Vice President of the Aegean Exporters' Associations and President of the Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Union, and Nazmi Yarış, Chairman of the Balıkesir Chamber of Commerce, EIB Secretary General İ. Cumhur İşbırakmaz made a presentation detailing the activities carried out by the Aegean Exporters' Associations for local exporters.

During the meeting, experts from the EIB conveyed information about the Responsible Support Program and other government aids aimed at compliance with the EU Green Deal regulations. Awards were also presented to 17 Balıkesir-based companies that have been exporting for over 20 years.

The presentations on state aids and preparations for the Green Deal by EIB are expected to contribute to Balıkesir's exports. Nazmi Yarış, Chairman of the Balıkesir Chamber of Commerce, stated, “Despite the challenges of high inflation, low exchange rates, and high interest rates in global markets, our province's exports have increased by 12% in the 11 months of this year compared to last year. The top three countries we export to are the USA, Iraq, and Germany, while the leading sectors are electrical and electronic goods, aquaculture, and animal products, followed by the automotive industry. Looking at the firms that received awards from the EIB with over 20 years of active export, they are predominantly marble and food production companies. This indicates that our exporting firms have diversified sectorally over time. With the contributions of the information presentations regarding government aids and preparations for the Green Deal carried out by the EIB, we hope to increase the volume of our exports by 2025.”

Balıkesir's exports reached 2 billion 235 million dollars. Yalçın Ertan, Coordinator Vice President of the Aegean Exporters' Associations and President of the Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Union, noted that they have closely observed the recent increase in exports from Balıkesir: “According to the statistics of operational provinces announced by the Ministry of Trade starting from 2023, Balıkesir's exports reached 2 billion 235 million dollars in the first 11 months of 2024. The criteria for keeping export records are based on the operational statistics, which include productions and exports occurring in Balıkesir, but with company headquarters located outside the province. Balıkesir is a city with an industrial identity featuring eight organized industrial zones, five of which are currently operational.”

Ertan also emphasized that Balıkesir is a significant production center both in agriculture and industry, stating, “With the increase in investments in the Organized Industrial Zone, Balıkesir's exports are steadily growing. The Çanakkale Bridge and the highway connecting to Savaştepe will make Balıkesir an important logistics center. Balıkesir hosts prominent sectors in its exports such as electrical and electronic goods, aquaculture, animal products, and the automotive industry. This sectoral diversity shows that our province has significant potential. Our exporters from Balıkesir exported to 160 countries, including the USA, Iraq, Germany, Italy, and Spain in 2024.”

Ertan highlighted their hopes for the region, stating, “With Balıkesir's deep-rooted production experience and strategic objectives, we anticipate that it will raise its exports to 3 billion dollars by effectively utilizing government incentives by 2025. Through member meetings held in the provinces serviced by our union, we aim to enhance our relations with our members, provide information about the services and support we offer, and identify the expectations and demands of the export community in Balıkesir. As the EIB, we strive to support the business community in Balıkesir in their export-focused activities and to create a robust export ecosystem. The purpose of our meetings across the provinces is to communicate the "Responsible Support Program" implemented by the Ministry of Trade to comply with the EU Green Deal regulations and the government supports available to exporters, as well as the activities of the Aegean Exporters' Associations.”

Ertan concluded by stating that the Aegean Exporters' Associations have been implementing sustainability-oriented projects to achieve European Union Green Deal goals for the past seven years: “We have taken significant steps in this regard. The steps taken by the Balıkesir OSB towards becoming a Green OSB are also highly valuable for Turkey. During this gathering, we also celebrated the achievements of our companies with active export activities for 20 years or more in Balıkesir. Honoring the longstanding efforts of our esteemed companies is a great source of pride for us. We will continue to fulfill our responsibilities as the EIB to ensure that Balıkesir's export identity becomes even more pronounced in the future. I sincerely congratulate all our firms contributing to Balıkesir's exports and wish them continued success.”

Award-winning firms included: AKÇAMER MARBLE AND STEEL INDUSTRY TRADE LTD. CO. ALKAR ALUMINUM INDUSTRY AND TRADE INC. ANTGIDA FOOD AGRICULTURE TOURISM ENERGY AND STEEL INDUSTRY TRADE INC. ASSOS ANTIQUE MARBLE INDUSTRY AND TRADE LTD. CO. AVCILAR PETROLEUM AUTOMOTIVE AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TRADE LTD. CO. BURCU FOOD CONSERVATION AND SAUCE INDUSTRY INC. ÇİZGİ MARBLE AND GRANITE INDUSTRY AND TRADE LTD. CO. DOĞUŞ PRIÑA OIL AND FAT PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TRADE INC. KULA OIL AND EMERGENCY FEED INDUSTRY TRADE INC. KÜRŞAT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TRADE INC. MELİH MEDICAL IMPORT EXPORT INDUSTRY AND TRADE LTD. CO. OĞULLAR METAL INDUSTRY AND TRADE LTD. CO. RAVİNİ MARBLE CERAMIC INDUSTRY AND TRADE INC. SERAY FOOTWEAR AND SLIPPER INDUSTRY TRADE LTD. CO. SUMAŞ ARTIFICIAL WOOD AND FURNITURE INDUSTRY INC. UÇAR MARBLE MARKETING INDUSTRY AND TRADE INC. YÖRSAN DAIRY AND DAIRY PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TRADE INC.