Drawing attention as one of the most effective regional business structures of Türkiye, the Aegean Young Businessmen Associations Federation (EGİFED) is one of the most important civil society organizations that employ more than 8 people with its 1700 member associations and more than 40.000 young business people. With a total annual turnover of its members approaching 5 billion dollars, EGİFED is a determining actor not only in the regional but also in the national economy, and with this comprehensive power, it made an important visit to Erdek. The visit focused on the projects of the regional business world and attracted attention with its themes of environmental and cultural responsibility as well as economic cooperation.
The visit was led by EGİFED Board Chairman Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer. Evaluating the visit, EGİFED Board Chairman Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer drew attention to the importance they attach to the development of the region and said, “As EGİFED, we know that economic development is not just about numerical growth. A development vision strengthened by local dynamics should also bring with it an approach that protects cultural heritage, observes environmental sustainability and opens up space for young entrepreneurs. Our Erdek contacts are the reflection of this holistic vision on the field. Contributing to the region means investing in the future of our country.”
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the host organization ERGİAD, Özgür Kalafat, made the following assessments during the visit of the EGİFED delegation: “Erdek needed a visionary structure that would bring young business people together and collaborations that would carry this power to the region. EGİFED’s support for regional development and its holistic approach play an important role in meeting this need. As Erdek, we are very pleased to be in contact with such a strong structure. In line with the founding purpose of ERGİAD, we aim to increase economic and social solidarity by organizing young entrepreneurs. The board meeting held by our Federation in Erdek was both a great motivation and an important starting point for us.”
Within the scope of their Erdek contacts in line with this understanding, EGİFED Board members first visited Erdek Mayor Burhan Karışık in his office. During the meeting, supporting local development, encouraging young entrepreneurship and cooperation opportunities in joint projects were discussed. While Mayor Karışık provided information about ongoing projects and future plans, the EGİFED delegation shared the organizational structure of the federation and its vision for regional development.
Another important stop of the visit was the Erdek Chamber of Commerce. In the meeting with President Hüseyin Uz, topics such as Erdek's economic potential, support for SMEs, digital transformation and adaptation to technology were discussed. The meeting was productive in terms of understanding the dynamics of the regional economy and preparing the ground for possible collaborations between federation members and the regional business world.
As part of the program, EGİFED members attended a special presentation by Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı. Hosted by ERGİAD – Erdek Young Businessmen Association at Pınar Hotel, the presentation focused on the mucilage problem in the Marmara Sea, its effects on the ecosystem and the measures that need to be taken. While Prof. Dr. Sarı emphasized that the business world should take more responsibility in terms of environmental awareness, the EGİFED delegation reiterated the message that economic development cannot be considered separately from environmental sustainability.
The cultural aspect of the visit included the Ancient City of Kyzikos. The EGİFED delegation received comprehensive information about the historical and cultural heritage of the ancient city through Ahmet Tercanlıoğlu's narration. It was emphasized that Kyzikos is not only an archaeological site but also a value that forms the identity of the region.
EGİFED Board Members carried this awareness to the field and participated in the Kyzikos Ultra Marathon hosted by ERGİAD. The event, which took place within the unique nature and historical texture of the Kapıdağ Peninsula, contributed to the promotion of the region and the increase of cultural awareness with the unifying power of sports. The EGİFED delegation represented not only physical endurance but also solidarity and social awareness by participating in the marathon.
On the last day of the visit, the EGİFED Board of Directors Meeting was held at Erdek Pınar Hotel, and Erdek Chamber of Commerce President Hüseyin Uz and Bandırma Chamber of Commerce President Bahadır Çolak also attended the meeting. The activities of the associations affiliated with the Federation, the joint event calendar and cooperation plans were discussed.
The visit ended with a dinner hosted by ERGİAD at the Palmon Hotel. This meeting, where EGİFED and ERGİAD members came together, strengthened not only official ties but also human and professional solidarity.
