The real hero of the economy: The Industrialist
The Turkish economy recorded a 4,5% growth in the second quarter of the year. At first glance, this figure may seem promising, yet the situation on the ground is far more complex for industrialists’ perspective. The burden carried on the shoulders of industry is growing heavier by the day. Persistently high inflation weakens predictability; rising costs of energy, raw materials, and logistics erode companies’ profitability. Today, the business world is compelled to take almost every step by calculating risks.
Access to finance continues to be the greatest obstacle facing industrialists. High interest rates and the tightening of credit lines by banks are postponing investment plans and restricting production capacity. Meanwhile, the deepening problems in collections are leading to a notable increase in concordat applications. These developments clearly reveal how fragile a period the real sector is going through.
Despite all these challenges, Turkish industry continues to produce, export, and create employment. This resilience once again highlights the dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit of industrialists. However, for this spirit to survive, more supportive steps from the public sector are essential. Facilitating access to finance, implementing structural measures to ease production costs, and especially supporting green transformation investments stand out as critical needs for the sustainable growth of our industry. For growth figures to become permanent, the production front must remain strong.
This Month in PLASFED Magazine
In september issue, PLASFED Magazine once again meets readers with rich and diverse content. Our cover story is dedicated to the theme “Global Industry is Decarbonizing.” At a time when companies unable to reduce their carbon footprint risk being left out of global competition, green transformation for Turkey has become not only an environmental necessity but also an economic imperative. Companies that align with carbon-neutral targets will secure both the environment and their commercial future.
The 30th Eurasia Packaging Fair, the largest gathering of the packaging industry, is once again preparing to make Istanbul the beating heart of the sector. As we take our place at this important event, we interviewed Zeynep Ünal Öztop, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Tüyap Fairs Group, about the future of the exhibition industry, green packaging solutions, and the strategic importance of fairs for SMEs. In another interview, we sat down with Ersin Kayalar, Chairman of the Board of Kayalar Kimya, which is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary, to discuss the company’s half century long journey, its R&D investments, and its strategies for expanding into global markets.
We also feature the 42-year journey dedicated to industry by Erol Aykut, who produced Turkey’s first lamination machines and pioneered the implementation of domestic chip-based ID cards. He shared with us his entrepreneurial adventure and his perspective on production. Prof. Dr. Ziya Akıncı, President of the Istanbul Arbitration Center, explained the fast and reliable solutions arbitration offers in commercial disputes.
In our country file, we extend our focus this time to Texas, one of the industrial powerhouses of the United States. With its investment friendly structure, strong infrastructure, and broad market access, Texas holds the potential to become a new global hub for Turkish industrialists. In our sustainability section, environmental engineer Erbil Büyükbay examined the two sides of plastics, highlighting both their indispensable place in our daily lives and the environmental responsibilities they entail.
Türkiye’s Future Lies in Production
The plastics industry, with its value added products, employment capacity, and contribution to exports, is one of the backbones of the national economy. However, ignoring the problems of industrialists means blocking the path of growth and development. As PLASFED, we will continue to stand by production and industrialists, to voice the problems, and to work for solutions.
The labor of the industrialist is the future of the country.
Ömer KARADENİZ
Chairman of PLASFED
