From Ömer Karadeniz to ISO: We feel the support of Turkey's strongest and largest chamber of industry with us
PLASFED President Ömer Karadeniz, accompanied by a delegation consisting of board members, also visited the Istanbul Chamber of Industry. During the visit, views were exchanged on developments concerning the industry and plastics sector. PLASFED President Karadeniz emphasized that plastic holds an important place in the Turkish economy, and stressed that they felt the support of ISO, as Turkey's strongest and largest chamber of industry, in solving the sector's problems.
Ömer Karadeniz noted that their first activity after taking office was to visit the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing that ISO holds great moral value for sector representatives and himself, and said, “Currently, you see all representatives of the plastics sector from all over Turkey here. At PLASFED, we have brought together all representatives of our sector in Turkey, and by working arm in arm with our respective chambers, we will discuss and resolve the sector's problems.”
Karadeniz continued his words as follows:
“We now want this sector to get rid of its past image of being 'nylon producer'-'bag maker'. We will carry out studies for this. Because plastic should no longer be handled by being reduced to such simplicity. From an airplane taking off from here today, for example, to Argentina, to a rocket going into space, and many technological items we use, their main material consists of plastic. Therefore, we expect stronger and more supportive steps to be taken regarding our sector, which makes a huge contribution to the economy, and as PLASFED, we will explain this to the public together with institutions and organizations like ISO, whose support we always feel with us. There are very significant developments in our sector. Especially in engineering plastics, very big and important developments are taking place. While the world is advancing to a very important point in this field, it should not be the case for us, as Turkey, to remain spectators and lag behind. We must not ignore the weight and importance of this sector, and its contribution to our country. As PLASFED, we want to carry out this struggle by working arm in arm with ISO. In this context, we will have workshops. Especially regarding recycling, we will have workshops. We ask for your support for these workshops.”
ISO President Bahçıvan: We are always with the plastics sector
Istanbul Chamber of Industry President Erdal Bahçıvan also stated that as Turkey's oldest, most established, and largest chamber of industry, they are always by the side and a supporter of the plastics sector, and said, “We see ourselves as the hosts of all industrialists. Our industrialists, who were established here in due course and then moved to Anatolia, are also our natural members, and this is a chamber where the pulse of Turkish industry beats. You can see this place as your home. As representatives of the plastics sector, you cannot be praised enough for your contribution to the economy. The sector has a high brand value. With many of our members and Non-Governmental Organizations, you have a high representation power within ISO. For this reason, we are all experiencing the process the sector is going through, and we are closely aware of your sensitivities.”
Erdal Bahçıvan continued his words as follows:
“It would be desirable for a sector that supports many areas of industry to have strong domestic supporters, especially in terms of raw materials. Today, the biggest dilemma of the sector is experienced in this area, and it operates with external dependency. As we have stated on many platforms, a sector with such capacity, during a period when we need to use our resources very well, should have had at least three or four more raw material suppliers/supporters like PETKİM.
I believe that this sector, which has proven its maturity within our economy, will also witness investments that will free it from import dependency. As ISO, we keep this issue very much on the agenda, both within our own structure and with ministries and other platforms with whom we are in communication. We should be able to share the truths about a sector that has become the strongest sector of the economy after textiles and creates so much added value, more strongly with the public. As in other sectors, the 'we can do it' confidence needs to be established in our sector, especially regarding raw material investments. We believe that as long as the path to production is open, there is nothing this society and industrialists cannot do. This is our biggest advantage as a society...”
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.