Kemal Karaküçük, Chairman of Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KMTSO) and Chairman of the Governing Board of Mem Tekstil, said in the special explanation made after International Textile Summit said that: “Kahramanmaraş deserves to reach a unique position both in terms of the global and Turkish textile sectors.”
We clearly see how important the International Textile Summit taking place with intense participation of foreign visitors is and how the textile culture of “Kahramanmaraş” has evolved during the industrialisation from past up to the present. 65 % of total industrial yield obtained in Kahramanmaraş is realized by the textile sector which has reached a business volume amounting to $ 3 billion. 42.000 employees working in 270 plants correspond to 10 % of the number of employees recruited in the textile sector of Turkey and 7.2 % of the whole textile export is made by the companies located in Kahramanmaraş.”
“We should get better”
Stating that their situation is insufficient for them, Karaküçük added that: “Kahramanmaraş should make use of its opportunities as changing, evolving, industrialising and developing city in Turkey and in the world. Since the beginning of 80s when the domination of market economy started, Kahramanmaraş has responded to the investment incentives of the state without delay and used these incentives accurately. However, we cannot rely on these incentives for ever. Thus, we need fairs and organisations where we can introduce ourselves and will keep abreast of the new developments and manufacturers will meet at a common platform.
Karaküçük continued by saying that: “The international Textile Summit held in Kahramanmaraş is a step towards the innovation that Kahramanmaraş needs. As KMTSO, our support to the International Textile Summit will continue and especially the fairs related to the textile sector should certainly be held in Kahramanmaraş as well since the city has leapt forward in the textile sector both within the region and at the national level. We will provide full support in this respect.”
Our infrastructure is ready
Stating that Kahramanmaraş is located at the heart of the region owing to its geographical position, Karaküçük added that: “We are right at the middle of our fast-evolving region in terms of textile. We are advantageous in terms of transport and we have fair infrastructure and plants which other cities lack. All these make us more advantageous than other cities.”
Karaküçük concluded his remarks as such: “These organisations will shape the future of both Kahramanmaraş and sector and contribute to the increase in innovation, design and export capabilities, in particular.”
