Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Organized through the cooperation of TOBB, TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council (KGK) and Türkiye Economic Policy Research Foundation (TEPAV), Türkiye's Entrepreneurial Women Power Competition Awards were presented. In the ceremony that started with TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council President Nurten Öztürk's opening speeches, In two main categories: “Most Increased Women's Employment Company” and “Entrepreneurial Women's Power” awards were given.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech here, said that the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council was established on October 29, 2007 and pioneered the development of entrepreneurship culture among women.

Emphasizing that the Council continues to guide women entrepreneurs from industry to agriculture, from logistics to e-commerce, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “They work in the field in 81 provinces and 160 districts. TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council, which is the largest, most comprehensive and most competent 'network' of this geography, has become a brand in the chamber community in the world. In our country and in different countries, business world organizations take this structure as an example and establish networks of women entrepreneurs.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Türkiye is also getting stronger as women take more and more part in business life.

- “The employment of women in our companies is increasing day by day”

Stating that women deserve their place and even further with their achievements in all areas of life, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“Today, we will reward our top 10 companies that have increased the number of women employees the most in the 2020-2021 period. This category was open to all our companies without any restrictions. The female employment rate of our applicant companies increased by 16 percent compared to the previous year. In other words, the employment of women in our companies is increasing day by day. 7 of our 10 award-winning companies are managed by women. This means that companies run by women place much more emphasis on women's employment. Our 'Entrepreneurial Women Power' category was only open to applications from our women entrepreneurs. Here, our women entrepreneurs, who are growing the fastest, increasing their exports the most, becoming the most digital and the most environmentally friendly, were evaluated according to their performance in the 2019-2021 period.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that women entrepreneurs from 22 provinces applied to the competition and reported that women entrepreneurs grew 2 times faster than Türkiye's national income growth.

Pointing out that 73 percent of the companies applying to the competition export, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “74 percent of our exporting companies in the 2019-2021 period have exports to at least 3 countries. You are successful because you do not listen to those who say 'you can't do it', and because you continue on your way with determination. Let everyone see that if they are given the opportunity and if obstacles are not put in their way, there is nothing that women cannot do. I wholeheartedly congratulate our precious women entrepreneurs who have achieved such magnificent successes.”

- “If women are strong then society and the country will be strong.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu addressed women entrepreneurs and asked them to be role models for young people and to direct them to entrepreneurship.

Pointing out that the most important potential here is universities, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“Last March 8, International Women's Day, I called on you. 'Visit universities, get together with student clubs, establish entrepreneurial clubs.' Our women entrepreneur boards have taken action. Efforts have started in nearly 20 universities. I hope that these activities will continue increasingly. Our most current issue is access to finance. In this context, there is a loan package supported by the Credit Guarantee Fund that is only for women entrepreneurs. Three of our banks can extend this loan. Use these loans supported by the Credit Guarantee Fund and announce them to our women entrepreneurs. Reason and success have no gender. If women are strong, society and country will be strong. What we say, if there are women, there is tomorrow. I believe in you, I trust you. I wholeheartedly congratulate our esteemed entrepreneurs who will receive awards in Türkiye's Entrepreneurial Women Power Contest and wish you continued success. Happy 19 November International Women Entrepreneurship Day.”

- “We want to take competition to the international level”

TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council President Nurten Öztürk stated that the way for the long-term and sustainable development of countries is to increase women's labor force participation rates.

Emphasizing that healthy growth cannot be expected from an economy in which women, who constitute half of the total population of working age, cannot participate effectively, Öztürk said, “We wanted to support the organizations that increase women's employment the most with the competition and to ensure that they set an example for other companies. Calling a woman a job means going home. Having women in business life is a corporate responsibility. We want to hold the competition not only in Türkiye, but also to carry it to the international level.”

The companies which received awards in Türkiye's Entrepreneurial Women Power Competition by increasing women's employment the most are as follows:

Patiswiss Chocolate, Aslı Textile Confection Industry Co. Inc., Gedik Resource Industry Co. Inc., Ideal Health Consultancy Training Services Occupational Safety Materials Internal and External. Co. Inc., USB Certification Audit Surveillance and Certification Services Inc., Sardes Food Industry and Agricultural Products Trade, Import, Export Co. Inc., Ardent Plastic Industry Co. Inc., Sampa Automotive Industry Co. Inc., Mutlu Metal Industry Co. Inc., TB Sewtech Türkiye Automotive.

The companies that received awards in the 'Entrepreneurial Women's Power' category in the competition are as follows:

“The Most Environmentally Friendly Women Entrepreneurs,” Alışan Lojistik Co. Inc. and Netpak Ambalaj Co. Inc.; “The Most Digitalized Women Entrepreneurs,” Düşyeri IT and Animation Co. Inc. and Harga Co. Inc.; “The Women Entrepreneurs Who Increased Their Exports the Most,” Umdasch Madosan Shelving Systems Co. Inc., Simsoft Computer Technologies, Edsa Textile Ltd. and Uyar Agricultural Products Co. Inc., “The Fastest Growing Women Entrepreneurs, Patiswiss Çikolata and Atlantis Global Food Co. Inc.