Presidential Chief Advisor Dr. Bülent Gedikli stated, “Turkey is a manufacturing country. This manufacturing needs to become even stronger. The sector that will create this strength is the manufacturing industry.” Noting that they desire an increase in the share of the manufacturing industry in the Turkish economy, Gedikli added, “I believe this will be achieved through universities like OSTİM Technical University, or by the widespread expansion of vocational and technical education, and especially by finding areas for the application of these training models within Organized Industrial Zones.”
Gedikli, who visited the OSTİM Organized Industrial Zone, met with the Chairman of the Board Orhan Aydın, Vice Chairman Sıtkı Öztuna, and other OSB executives. Bülent Gedikli made assessments on current economic developments and the real sector in OSTİM.
OSTİM Organized Industrial Zone Board Chairman Orhan Aydın stated that employment has been a hot topic in recent years, saying, “How can employment be created without jobs? We cannot solve the employment problem unless we prioritize domestic industry and domestic production, and create an ecosystem that will increase production. The share of industry has decreased from 25% to 17%. The employment problem cannot be solved unless this share increases to at least 23%.”
“OSTİM Technical University is a new model”
Underlining that OSTİM is a very important laboratory for them, Presidential Chief Advisor Dr. Bülent Gedikli stated that OSTİM Technical University, whose establishment law has been approved, represents a very important model both for Turkey and for our region.
Dr. Gedikli shared the following views: “We always say this; OSTİM is a very important laboratory for us. Therefore, in our contacts and observations from time to time, we learn and identify very important issues on the spot. The Chairman and the Management convey these to us. We also have the opportunity to share some of our views. OSTİM is also a very important organization in terms of civil society. With the establishment of OSTİM Technical University, they have reached a very important stage. I would especially like to thank everyone who played a role in the establishment of this university, especially the Chairman. This is a debt we owe. We also did our best.”
We don't see OSTİM Technical University as just another university. OSTİM Technical University represents a very important model both for Turkey and for our region. This university also represents a new model. I believe it will provide a good infrastructure for industry-university collaboration and the work to be done. I am also confident that it will make a name for itself everywhere in a short time.”
“Organized Industrial Zones are the key actors in the manufacturing industry”
Continuing his remarks, Bülent Gedikli stated, “We always desire and wish to see Turkey as a manufacturing country,” and emphasized their desire to increase the share of the manufacturing industry within the Turkish economy.
Pointing out that one job in the manufacturing industry can create five more jobs, Dr. Gedikli said: “Industry is always the productive sector. Turkey is a manufacturing country. This production needs to become even stronger. The sector that will create this strength is the manufacturing industry. In Turkey, organized industrial zones have become the fundamental factor at the heart of the manufacturing industry. Organized industrial zones are the main actors in the manufacturing industry. In many cities, with this relocation activity, these will also transform into special production zones. Production zones and production areas will be formed. In that sense, it will of course create a very important function.”
We want to see the manufacturing industry's share in the Turkish economy steadily increase. I believe this will happen through universities like OSTİM Technical University, or through the widespread expansion of vocational and technical education, and especially through the implementation of these training models within Organized Industrial Zones (OSBs). Ultimately, this model we've described will have a significant impact on exports and investment. In terms of growth in Turkey, we see exports and investment as the driving force; therefore, we advocate for a growth strategy based on exports and investment, not imports and consumption. This will also fundamentally solve the employment problem. That's the perspective we're taking.”
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