The 22nd Term Assembly met at the Central Building of ITO in Eminönü to determine the new management, which will serve for 4 years. Council members representing 80 professional groups of ITO cast their votes between 09.00 and 12.00 today.
According to the election results, Avdagiç received the votes of 251 out of 270 Assembly members and became the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, which has a 144-year history and represents more than 800 thousand Istanbul companies, for the third time.
The Full Members of the Board of Directors of ITO, chaired by Avdagiç, who will serve between 2026 and 2030, consist of the following names:
"Ahmet Özer, Ali Tutuk, Bahadır Yaşık, Davut Tolga Batallı, Ercan Özboyacı, Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca, İbrahim Doğan Salman, Murat Destekoğlu, Yakup Köç, Zeki Akbal."
"We will be a part of the future construction of the Turkish economy"
In his speech at the Parliament rostrum after the announcement of the election results, İTO President Şekib Avdagiç stated that they will continue to prepare the Istanbul business world for the future as an effective, dynamic and leading actor of the national and global economy and said, "We will be a part of the future construction of the Turkish economy. Just as our only goal has been our country and our members so far, we will work and sweat for the same goal for the next 4 years." he said.
Stating that the elections were a great feast of democracy, Avdagiç announced that the elections of the Board members, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) delegates and disciplinary board members were held.
Avdagiç expressed his gratitude to the ITO community for the trust and favor they showed in the election, and stated that their only priority is Turkey and the members, and that from now on, they will continue to work day and night for this effort, and that they will be the voice of the members and the breath of commerce.
Wishing his 22nd term to be auspicious, Avdagiç said, "We will leave our mark on the Turkish Century with the projects we will prepare together. We will continue to prepare the Istanbul business world for the future as an effective, dynamic and leading actor of the national and global economy. We will be a part of the future construction of the Turkish economy under the roof of our chamber." made the statement.
"We achieved a good result with a success that has not always been seen in the history of the ITO"
Making a statement to the press after his speech at the podium, Şekib Avdagiç reminded that the organ elections of the ICOC were held last week and 80 separate professional committees and 270 council members were determined.
Stating that he has officially taken office for the 22nd term, Avdagiç said, "We have achieved a good result with a success that has not always been seen in the history of the ITO. From now on, it is time to implement the issues and projects on our agenda for our members and our country." he said.
Avdagiç said that they have handled the issues received from the members with great care and sensitivity for 8 years, evaluated them and carried their demands to the relevant authorities, and mentioned that the relevant authorities have taken important steps to resolve them.
Avdagiç stated that we are going through a period where wars continue on the international side, and that the external conjuncture is sensitive and that we are in a period where there are significant effects on the international economy.
Stating that they will continue to work on the reflections of the situation in question on the Turkish business world, Avdagiç said:
"As you all know, there are important topics on our agenda. We will continue our processes regarding these topics both as ITO and due to our duty in TOBB. We will continue our efforts with all our strength to develop more trade of the Istanbul business world, to be able to produce more, to increase its employment, production and exports, to develop Istanbul tourism and to be able to welcome more guests in Istanbul.
Istanbul is Türkiye's most important city in terms of tax revenues. Again, it is a city that works for 12 months in terms of tourism, it is a lively city. In this sense, the development of Istanbul makes a great contribution to the Turkish economy. In terms of tax revenues and tourism revenues... When you look at exports, the exports of Istanbul companies cover the most important share in Türkiye's exports. In this sense, when we solve many issues in Istanbul, they are solved throughout Türkiye."
İTO President Avdagiç stated that they reduced the average age of the newly elected board members and council members and that they believe that they will do important work with a younger, more energetic staff.
