Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) Board Chairman İbrahim Burkay met with Textile Council members and said that Bursa needs to reach a better level in technical and functional textile production. Chairman Burkay stated that BUTEKOM, which was implemented in line with this vision, made significant contributions to the sector with its centers of excellence.
The Textile Council, which brings together all the dynamics of the textile sector under the roof of BTSO, held its consultation meeting at Bursa Business School, the lifelong education center of the business world. BTSO President İbrahim Burkay stated that the sectoral council structure, which was established for the first time within the BTSO among the chambers and exchanges in Türkiye, is one of the most important platforms where projects emerge. Stating that Bursa and Türkiye have a strong potential in the textile sector that has been going on for centuries, Burkay said that this potential is the most important driving force of economic development.
“The Priorities of Societies Are Changing”
Reminding that Bursa has reached an important position in the textile sector after the first OSB was established in 1961, Burkay emphasized that the sector needs to further strengthen this capacity. Stating that digital transformation has revealed new areas, İbrahim Burkay said, “The priorities of societies are changing now, consumer preferences are different. Our sector should adapt to this transformation and shape its production processes accordingly.”
“We Must Be Stronger in Technical Textiles”
Stating that the textile and ready-to-wear sector constitutes 4 percent of world exports and the foreign trade volume of the sector is approximately 875 billion dollars, President Burkay said that interior textiles, clothing textiles and technical textiles constitute the main branches of the sector. Stating that the desired level is not achieved in technical and functional textiles, Burkay said, “We have to be better in this area. The world is taking important steps in this regard, especially the USA and Germany are serious manufacturers. We also have the knowledge and experience. However, we must support our sector with regulations in order to increase production and technology. This is a priority.”
International Studies Are Being Conducted at BUTEKOM
Stating that BUTEKOM, which includes a technical textile center of excellence, was established in line with this vision, President Burkay said, “We are conducting many international studies in the field of technical textiles under the roof of BUTEKOM. Our center offers a wide range of services from project and technical support to sample production, from technical reporting to training and organizations. I invite our companies to benefit more from the technological opportunities offered by our center.”
“We Should Develop Joint Projects by Increasing Synergy”
BTSO Assembly President Ali Uğur stated that Bursa has been the center of textiles throughout history and has become one of the world's important supply centers with its innovative production approach. Stating that the focus should be on transformation in the global supply chain, digitalization, sustainable production and opening up to new markets, Uğur said, "We should develop joint projects by increasing the synergy between our companies and benefit more from the advantages of economies of scale with cluster models."
6 Ur-Ge Projects in Textiles
BTSO Vice President İsmail Kuş stated that there is a strong culture of cooperation in the textile sector in Bursa. Stating that BTSO has implemented many projects for the sector, İsmail Kuş noted that they have implemented 6 UR-GE projects in the textile sector. Expressing that they also support companies to open up to international markets with their fair and purchasing delegation activities, İsmail Kuş said, “We should act with the understanding that unity is strength and ensure that our companies benefit more from the projects.”
Common Sense in the Council Takes Action
BTSO Textile Council President Bayram Uçkun said that the council established under the leadership of BTSO is an important platform that brings together all the dynamics of the city. Expressing that they determined their roadmap as a result of the strategy search workshops held by the council, Uçkun said, “We will continue our work by activating the common mind of our sector.”
BTSO 5th Professional Committee Chairman Davut Gürkan stated that important projects were implemented following the workshops and consultation meetings. Gürkan emphasized that BTSO made significant contributions to the sector with the projects it carried out in the field of BUTEKOM and vocational training.
Two Working Groups Created
Industry and Technology Bursa Provincial Director Aydın Bakoğlu stated that Türkiye has a strong background in the textile sector and said that they will continue to act together with the sector as public institutions. In the Textile Council meeting, the “Technical Textile and Innovation Working Group” and the “Green Transformation and Sustainability Working Group” were also formed. The members who will serve in these groups were determined and work was initiated for the future of the sector.
