Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that Dursunbey has significant potential in the field of timber and forest products, while pointing out the importance of OIZs. “If Turkey is an industrial giant between Italy and China today, then OIZs are behind it,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said, adding that there are more than 300 OIZs in Turkey and that the chambers in these regions have contributed greatly.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed that Turkey is an example to the world in the field of OIZs and exports information. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that if a logistics station is built, the investor will come to Dursunbey OIZ and recommended focusing on the wood and furniture sectors in the region and giving importance to clustering.

- Other speakers

Dursunbey Mayor Ramazan Bahçavan also asked TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu to bring especially labor-intensive factories to the region. Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Yücel Yılmaz said, “We divided Balıkesir into three separate economic zones. South Balıkesir, central Balıkesir and West Balıkesir. We worked with our chambers, local managers, all our friends who know that acting independent of other provinces and counties are unlikely to succeed in our election campaigns.”

Cemil Çiçek, member of the Presidential High Advisory Board, said that the region will develop with the OIZ under construction in Dursunbey, adding, “Today saw an important and beautiful meeting here. Dursunbey is in the on the verge of a great leap, I hope it will be auspicious; I believe it will. An effort was needed, the government is working to establish the industrial zone.”