The 5th Businessmen Meeting of the Rights Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (HAKSIAD) concluded on Sunday in Kızılcahamam, Ankara, marking a significant gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, and industrialists from Türkiye and abroad.

Since its inception in 2018, this annual event has served as a forum for Türkiye’s business community to strengthen alliances, promote ethical practices, and collaborate on strategies to expand their influence in global markets. This year’s theme, “Strong Ties, Great Achievements,” reflected the gathering’s ambition to enhance economic resilience in a challenging global environment marked by uncertainty, conflict, and shifting trade landscapes.

With attendance from HAKSIAD members and global business representatives, the four-day event underscored the association’s determination to sustain Türkiye’s economic momentum. The final declaration, read by HAKSIAD Vice President Selahaddin Güneş, outlined priorities including promoting value-added production, pursuing new export markets, fostering inter-sector collaboration, and cultivating a business culture rooted in trust and ethics. As HAKSIAD expands its international footprint, these core values and strategic objectives reflect the association’s commitment to uplifting Türkiye’s economy amid global headwinds.

Pillars of Economic Growth: Value-Added Production, New Markets, and Collaboration

The declaration stressed HAKSIAD’s intent to fortify Türkiye’s economic foundation by focusing on the production of value-added goods, which contribute more significantly to economic growth than raw materials alone. Güneş highlighted HAKSIAD’s goal to diversify Türkiye’s export portfolio, increasing the variety of goods and services Türkiye offers in the global market to buffer the economy against external shocks. This approach is expected to create opportunities in untapped international markets, especially in emerging economies where demand for Turkish goods has shown potential for growth.

HAKSIAD also emphasized the importance of sectoral meetings, which facilitate collaboration among Turkish businesses operating in the same industries. By creating networks for knowledge exchange and partnership, HAKSIAD hopes to cultivate a united front in industries such as manufacturing, technology, and agriculture. This collaboration aims to foster innovation, increase competitiveness, and allow Turkish businesses to better navigate global supply chain disruptions and evolving market demands. The association sees these initiatives as integral to ensuring sustainable growth, even as geopolitical tensions and economic fluctuations threaten stability.

Preparing for the Future: Nurturing Visionary Young Entrepreneurs

In addition to immediate economic goals, HAKSIAD underscored its commitment to empowering the next generation of Turkish business leaders. As part of this initiative, HAKSIAD is expanding “Young HAKSIAD,” a platform dedicated to developing a cadre of forward-thinking, ethically grounded young entrepreneurs who can steer Türkiye’s economy in the coming decades. Recognizing that economic sustainability requires not only capital but also innovative ideas, Güneş expressed HAKSIAD’s desire to instill a sense of social responsibility, ethical leadership, and global awareness in young professionals. The organization believes that by investing in youth, Türkiye can ensure long-term economic resilience and maintain its competitiveness on the world stage.

Navigating Global Challenges: The Impact of Political Conflicts on Turkish Trade

The 5th Businessmen Meeting also highlighted the obstacles posed by ongoing global political tensions. Güneş addressed the significant impact of regional conflicts on Türkiye’s economy, particularly the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war and the escalating violence in the Middle East. According to Güneş, these geopolitical crises have introduced volatility that disrupts trade, hinders investment, and exacerbates economic uncertainties.

One of the core concerns voiced in the declaration was the violence in the Middle East, specifically Israel’s conflicts with neighboring countries such as Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. Describing the situation as a "bloodbath," Güneş criticized Western support for Israel and argued that the instability created by these conflicts impedes efforts to establish consistent trade relations in the region. The statement appealed to global powers to intervene diplomatically and stop the violence, suggesting that economic stability can only be achieved when peace prevails.

Türkiye’s economy, Güneş noted, is particularly susceptible to these disruptions due to its strategic location at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Despite recent diplomatic efforts to restore and improve trade relations with neighboring countries, Turkish businesses continue to face challenges as political and economic tensions linger in the region. HAKSIAD’s declaration urged Turkish policymakers to continue diplomatic engagement, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful environment for fostering economic growth and stability.

The Need for Strategic Labor Development to Prevent Economic Decline

HAKSIAD’s declaration also addressed a concern affecting economies worldwide: the shortage of skilled and unskilled labor. In recent years, many countries have struggled to fill critical roles in industries ranging from manufacturing to technology. Türkiye, Güneş cautioned, is not immune to this trend. The labor shortage, if left unaddressed, could force some sectors to scale back production or even close, potentially shifting the country’s economy from one of production to consumption.

To mitigate this risk, HAKSIAD called on the Turkish government to develop long-term strategies that would increase the appeal of vocational and technical education. By enhancing training programs and making vocational schools more accessible, Türkiye can address skill gaps and ensure that its industries have the workforce needed to sustain growth. Güneş emphasized that a skilled labor force is essential for supporting Türkiye’s export-driven economy and maintaining the competitiveness of its industries on the global stage.

Strengthening National Economic Independence and Defense Capabilities

Güneş further emphasized the importance of Türkiye’s pursuit of economic independence, particularly in the defense sector. He stressed that advancements in defense technology are vital to protecting Türkiye’s sovereignty and securing its position as a stable economic power. HAKSIAD praised recent progress in defense manufacturing, viewing these achievements as essential steps towards full national independence. The declaration affirmed HAKSIAD’s support for continued investment in Türkiye’s defense sector, highlighting that a robust defense industry can provide economic benefits by creating jobs, fostering innovation, and generating revenue through exports.

Looking Forward: Expanding Trade Networks Across Continents

HAKSIAD’s commitment to international expansion was another highlight of the declaration. The organization proudly reported that Turkish companies affiliated with HAKSIAD are now active across multiple continents, engaging in intercontinental trade from Asia to Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This global reach reflects HAKSIAD’s ambition to build a diverse and resilient network of business relationships that extend well beyond Türkiye’s borders.

Güneş stated that HAKSIAD members are now conducting business in a wide range of countries, including China, Afghanistan, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Poland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and several South American nations. These international ventures have helped create jobs and contribute to Türkiye’s economy, solidifying HAKSIAD’s role as a key driver of Türkiye’s trade development and economic strength.

A Vision for a Prosperous and Peaceful Future

In his closing remarks, Güneş conveyed HAKSIAD’s optimism for Türkiye’s future, grounded in the association’s steadfast commitment to economic growth, ethical business practices, and peaceful international relations. “With the awareness that we have made significant contributions to the Turkish economy, we will continue to move forward without slowing down towards greater goals,” he affirmed, reflecting the organization’s vision for a prosperous future.

The 5th HAKSIAD Businessmen Meeting concluded with heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and organizers, acknowledging their dedication to the association’s mission. This year’s event underscored a unifying belief that, through collaboration, Türkiye’s business community can overcome obstacles, seize new opportunities, and contribute to a more stable and thriving global economy. As HAKSIAD moves forward, the theme “Strong Ties, Great Achievements” serves as a reminder of the power of unity and resilience in building a brighter future. (ILKHA)