Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, “Gaziantep is one of the locomotive cities of Turkey with its deep-rooted industrial tradition, innovative production approach and strong infrastructure. Gaziantep offers one of the most important examples of economic development and sustainable growth with its power and leadership in the textile sector.’’
In the evaluation of the Gaziantep Textile Machinery Fair to be held at the Middle East Fair Center, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin stated that fairs broaden the horizons of business owners and industrialists and said, “Gaziantep means science, industry and technology.
Therefore, Gaziantep is the leader with its Textile Production Capacities. In addition to the textile production carried out by the Gaziantep industry, it is the center of Turkish textile production with the textile sector clustered around neighboring cities.
“We value the Gaziantep Textile Machinery Fair GTM 2025, where national and international participants will exhibit textile machinery and technologies, and the Turkish Textile Symposium, which will be held simultaneously, and we look for and support fairs and organizations to be held in our city.”
''Fair Organization is Completely Different Sector As It Opens People’s Horizons’’
We are now in a position to have a say in many sectors in the world market. Producers and consumers come together thanks to fairs. International fairs are very important for the Antep industry and Antep economy.
We want successful fairs to be organized in our city with domestic and international participants and visitors.
We see that the fair contributes significantly to the city’s economy in addition to its benefits to the sector in which it is organized. We are working to ensure that Gaziantep gets its deserved portion from the fair industry.’’
Gaziantep’s Locomotive Role in Textiles
Şahin, who stated that the textile sector is the cornerstone of Gaziantep’s economy, said, ‘’The Organized Industrial Zones in the city host a wide range of production such as yarn, fabric, carpet and apparel. Hundreds of companies operating in these zones carry out production both for the domestic and international markets, and bringing Gaziantep to valued position in the global textile market’’ and added, ‘’Gaziantep’s textile sector contributes greatly to the country’s economy with its annual export figures.
Gaziantep textile products, which reach the European, Middle Eastern, African and Asian markets, are preferred for their quality, innovative designs and competitive prices. The city adds significant value to Turkey's total export volume with its success in textile exports.''
Organized Industrial Zones and Employment
Şahin, who said that Organized industrial Zones are defined as the heart of industrial production in their classification and said, ''Gaziantep has one of the largest Organized Industrial Zones in Turkey, and these areas are the heart of the city's industrial production. Textile factories operating in Organized Industrial Zones are the greatest power of the city's economy in terms of both production capacity and employment opportunities. The employment capacity of 300 thousand people makes a great contribution to the social and economic structure of Gaziantep.
The companies located in these zones not only produce, but also lead the sector as pioneers of technological innovations. With modern production facilities, environmentally friendly technologies and innovations that increase efficiency, Gaziantep has become a model city in the Organized Industrial Zone.''
Raw Material and Technological Infrastructure
Noting that production made with new technology machines increases quality standards, Şahin said, ‘’Gaziantep also has a strong infrastructure in the production of raw materials that form the basis of textiles. Yarn and weaving factories are the most important elements that increase the quality of textile products produced in the city. The city has created a self-sufficient production ecosystem by reducing its dependency on both domestic and international raw material supplies.
In addition, investments made in technological infrastructure have increased Gaziantep’s competitive power in the textile sector. Production facilities equipped with advanced technology machines increase quality standards and carry Gaziantep to a leading position as a city in international markets.’’
Contribution of the Public Administration in Gaziantep Textiles
Explaining the vision putting forward by them with the motto ‘Gaziantep Model’, Mayor Şahin said, ''What lies behind the Gaziantep’s leading position in the textile sector is not only the industrial infrastructure and the efforts of the private sector, but also the strong support of local institutions. The projects developed by the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and the common sense management approach called the ‘Gaziantep Model’ play an important role in the city’s sustainable growth in the textile sector.
The Gaziantep Model: Common Sense Approach
The Gaziantep Model is a management initiative that adopts a solution-oriented approach to problems, shaped by the cooperation of local bodies, chambers of industry, the private sector and civil society organizations. Thanks to this model, the city’s textile sector has gained a strong structure not only in terms of economics but also social and environmental sustainability.
This model, developed under the leadership of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, has been effective in many areas from improving industrial infrastructure to training a qualified workforce. Various support provided by the Municipality in meeting the logistics needs of Organized Industrial Zones, leading infrastructure projects and energy efficiency has increased the competitiveness in the textile sector.’’
Environmentally Friendly Textile Production
Local authorities have increased Gaziantep’s competitiveness in the textile sector by encouraging environmentally friendly production processes. Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality has provided support for green production and energy efficiency projects, and has taken important steps in reducing the carbon footprint and adopting sustainable production techniques. In this context, renewable energy projects and training programs that increase environmental awareness have been organized. Gaziantep’s economy is in a continuous growth trend with its leadership in the textile sector. The city continues to provide foreign exchange input and contribute to the Turkish economy with its export-oriented production model. In addition, investments are being made in environmentally friendly technologies with a sustainable production approach, and practices that will reduce the carbon footprint are being implemented.
Mayor Şahin: "We are Strengthening Gaziantep Industry with GAZİRAY"
Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, while talking about the works that also strengthen the textile industry, mentioned the support that Gaziantep receives from the industry and said, “Gaziantep is one of the shining stars of Turkey with its industrial power. However, we know that we need to strengthen our transportation infrastructure in order to make this power more sustainable and to create more production and more employment. This is where our Gaziray project came into play. Gaziray, which connects the city center to our Organized Industrial Zones, offers our industrialists and employees a fast, safe and comfortable transportation service.
Textiles, machinery, plastics and many other products produced in our industrial zones increase our country's export power. However, in order to carry this success even further, it is essential to strengthen the logistics infrastructure. Thanks to Gaziray, we both ensure that our employees reach their workplaces more conveniently and minimize time losses in production processes.
Gaziray, which we have implemented with the cooperation of the local bodies, chambers of industry and the private sector with the Gaziantep Model, is not just a transportation project but also a development project. We brought Gaziray to our city to increase Gaziantep’s production power, reduce logistics costs and widespread environmentally friendly transportation.
This project strengthens our city’s economy and also facilitates social life. Our employees now reach their workplaces quicker and more safely. This in turn contributes greatly to work efficiency. In addition, Gaziray plays an important role in building a sustainable future with its environmentally friendly structure. Our goal is to make Gaziantep one of the important industrial and production centers of Turkey and the world. We are moving towards this goal with determined steps with projects like Gaziray. Gaziantep will continue to be an example for Turkey in industry and transportation as it is in every field.”
Kutnu Fabric: Historical Heritage and Future of Gaziantep Textiles
Gaziantep, in addition to being a leader in modern textile production with the strength of its industrial infrastructure, has managed to establish a balance in the sector by keeping its traditional values alive. At this point, kutnu fabric, one of the cultural heritages of the city, represents both the history and the future of Gaziantep textiles. The efforts of local organs and especially Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality in this field have ensured that kutnu fabric finds its deserved position in modern textiles again.
Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality has positioned kutnu fabric not only as a cultural value but also as an economic product. Under the leadership of Fatma Şahin, the municipality has undertaken projects that will both increase the production of kutnu fabric and promote this fabric. With the projects supported by the municipality, kutnu fabric looms have been revived, traditional masters have been encouraged and young generations have been introduced to this craft.
Training on kutnu fabric continues through GASMEKs.
Festivals, educational programs and fairs organized within this scope have made kutnu fabric more visible at local and national levels. In addition, presenting kutnu fabric as a touristic product contributes to both the cultural and economic value of Gaziantep.
