Nazilli Chamber of Commerce Continues Its 2026 Member Meeting Series with an Event in Kuyucak

The Nazilli Chamber of Commerce (NTO) continued its 2026 Member Meeting Series with an event held in Kuyucak, bringing together Chamber members, local officials, and business representatives to discuss regional development priorities, ongoing projects, and the needs of the local business community.

The meeting was attended by Kuyucak District Gendarmerie Commander İdris Alanbay, Halkbank Branch Manager Hüseyin Akoğlu, and members of the Nazilli Chamber of Commerce. Guests were welcomed by Chairman of the Board Nuri Arslan and members of the Board of Directors.

A presentation highlighting the Chamber’s activities, strategic projects, ongoing initiatives, and advocacy efforts carried out in response to members’ requests was shown during the meeting. The presentation emphasized that the Nazilli Chamber of Commerce is a member-oriented institution, whose activities extend beyond its statutory responsibilities to include economic and social initiatives shaped by the expectations of its members.

“We Are Here to Listen to Our Members and Share Our Projects”

In his opening remarks, Chairman Nuri Arslan stated:

“Our primary objective is to understand your expectations and identify your challenges firsthand. We continue working tirelessly to resolve the issues raised by our members. Thanks to our persistent efforts since 2013, we have brought numerous important matters affecting our business community to the attention of the relevant authorities and have contributed to resolving many of them.”

The Chamber Is Wherever Its Members Do Business

Chairman Arslan emphasized that the Chamber serves Nazilli and the six surrounding districts without distinction.

“Regardless of distance or location, we strive to provide equal services to every member. We make every effort to understand our members’ concerns, record their requests, and lead projects and investments that will increase the prosperity and economic development of our region.”

Equal Financing Opportunities for Chamber Members

Chairman Arslan reiterated the Chamber’s long-standing call for a financing mechanism comparable to the Artisan Credit Guarantee Loan Program for businesses registered with chambers of commerce.

“One of the most important issues we consistently raise with the relevant authorities is the need for a financing system similar to the Artisan Credit Guarantee Loan Program for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Although the existing low-interest financing provided through Halkbank is funded by public resources, it is available only to members of artisans’ chambers. Businesses of the same size and operating in the same sectors, but registered with chambers of commerce, are unable to benefit from these facilities.

We therefore continue our efforts to secure the necessary legislative amendments or establish a new financing mechanism that will provide Chamber members with equal access to affordable financing.”

Preparing the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow

Mr. Arslan also addressed the growing shortage of qualified technical personnel.

“Türkiye cannot achieve sustainable growth without production. Our resources are limited, and we must continue to work, manufacture, and export. Every stage of production requires young people with vocational and technical education.

If we fail to take the necessary measures and increase the number of vocational schools, our manufacturing sector will face even greater challenges in the future.

We must eliminate the misconception that students attending vocational schools will only become apprentices. No one can become a master—or eventually a successful entrepreneur—without first learning a profession.

Today, many of the owners of manufacturing and exporting companies in our region are graduates of vocational high schools. The entrepreneurs of tomorrow will emerge from today’s vocational and technical education system.

Parents should encourage their children to pursue vocational education. Individuals with technical qualifications have greater opportunities for long-term success, and strengthening vocational education is essential both for the future of our country and for the next generation.”

Creating New Industrial and Commercial Areas

Chairman Arslan stressed the urgent need for additional industrial and commercial investment areas.

“Today, we cannot offer suitable land to entrepreneurs who are ready to invest with their own capital. Local governments also have an important role to play in addressing this issue. Following the local elections, we shared this concern with our mayors.

This is not a challenge that the Chamber can solve on its own. Comprehensive urban planning is required to create new commercial and industrial zones alongside residential development.”

Mr. Arslan reaffirmed the Chamber’s support for the Nazilli Second Organized Industrial Zone (Nazilli 2nd OIZ).

“The planned Second Organized Industrial Zone is not only important for Nazilli but also represents one of the region’s most significant development projects. The proposed Toygar–Esenköy site offers ideal geological conditions for industrial investment.

Unfortunately, unfounded prejudices have slowed progress before the project has even begun. We believe that the Chamber of Commerce should always be consulted on regional investment projects. We remain in close dialogue with our Members of Parliament and are confident that, with the support of our members, we will achieve this objective.”

Revitalizing the Historic Sümerbank Factory

Chairman Arslan also highlighted the Chamber’s efforts to restore the historic Nazilli Sümerbank Textile Factory, one of Türkiye’s first industrial facilities, inaugurated by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1937.

Although the factory remained in operation until 2002 and produced the renowned Nazilli Printed Cotton Fabric (Nazilli Basması), the site now requires extensive restoration and structural reinforcement.

Mr. Arslan explained that although the factory complex was allocated to Aydın Adnan Menderes University in 2003, only a small portion has been utilized while much of the site has remained idle.

The Chamber proposes allocating approximately 63,000 square meters of the unused factory area to develop:

• A modern exhibition and fair center,
• The Sümer Industrial Museum,
• A textile production facility dedicated to reviving Nazilli Printed Cotton Fabric,
• Sales and exhibition areas for geographically indicated local products,
• And numerous additional projects that would stimulate regional economic development.

“We firmly believe that strong cooperation among public institutions is essential to bringing the Sümerbank Factory back into productive use. This remains one of the most important development projects for the future of our region.”

Members’ Expectations Remain Our Highest Priority

Concluding his remarks, Chairman Arslan said:

“All of our Chamber’s activities are planned according to the expectations and needs of our members. I raise your concerns at every meeting held with TOBB, the relevant ministries, and other institutions in Ankara.

These meetings allow us to meet face to face with our members, exchange ideas, understand your expectations, and continuously improve our services.

Please do not hesitate to bring your concerns to the Chamber. Within the limits of our authority and resources, we will continue working to find practical solutions.

Thank you for your participation.”

Following the speeches, Chamber members thanked the Board of Directors for its continued efforts to address the common challenges faced by the business community and for organizing the meeting.

The event concluded with a commemorative group photograph.