Export Leaders Awarded at Ceremony Hosted by GTU

February 16, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations
 

At a ceremony attended by Minister of Trade Prof. Ömer Bolat, 63 distinguished companies ranked among Türkiye’s export giants are honored.

The Heart of the Economy Beat at the GTU Campus

Organized by the Gebze Chamber of Commerce (GTO) and based on data from the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), the “Leaders of Export Awards Ceremony” was held on February 14, 2026 at the White Hall of the Congress and Cultural Center of Gebze Technical University (GTU). The ceremony, graced by the presence of Minister Bolat and İlhami Aktaş, Governor of Kocaeli, formally recognized the achievements of 63 leading exporter companies that generate strategic value for both the regional and national economy.

New Targets in the Global Economic League

Addressing the audience, Minister Bolat underlined Kocaeli’s strategic importance, noting its 12.5% share in Türkiye’s total exports. Emphasizing that Türkiye has reached the 400-billion-dollar export league, he stated: “When the 2025 gross domestic product figures are announced, we will rise to 16th place globally and 4th in Europe with an economy of approximately 1.6 trillion dollars.” Minister Bolat also highlighted that the share of high-technology products in exports has increased to 43.5%, underscoring the importance of R&D-driven growth.

Emphasis on Regional Strength and Institutional Collaboration

Governor İlhami Aktaş stressed that Kocaeli serves as the locomotive of the Turkish economy, proudly noting that the province has today achieved, on its own, the level of Türkiye’s total exports from 20 years ago. He attributed this success to the healthy cooperation climate fostered by central administration, local governments, chambers of commerce, and institutions such as GTU.

Global Presence Challenge and a Vision for New Markets

In his remarks, Tahir Büyükakın, Mayor of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, described exports as one of the most fundamental indicators of a nation’s global presence. Highlighting Kocaeli’s 35-billion-dollar export volume as a result of visionary leadership, he called on the business community to focus on strategic markets such as Africa and the Turkic Republics, reaffirming that the municipality stands ready to support exporters at all times.

Strategic Data and Sectoral Success

Adil Pelister, Vice Chairman of TİM, emphasized that the “Top 1000 Exporters Survey” has become a prestige list for Türkiye, with technology-investing firms securing their place within it. Abdurrahman Aslantaş, President of GTO, noted that the 63 member companies that entered the list contributed a remarkable 10.497 billion dollars in exports to the national economy.

“The Path to Exports Leads Through High Technology”

Delivering an evaluation speech during the ceremony, Hacı Ali Mantar, Rector of GTU, congratulated the 63 companies representing Gebze’s economic strength by ranking among Türkiye’s top 1,000 exporters. He stated that hosting such a prestigious ceremony was a great honor for the University. Reaffirming GTU’s strong commitment to university–industry collaboration, Rector Mantar emphasized that the University will continue to place its scientific and technological expertise at the service of industry.

A Prestigious Gathering With Broad Participation

The well-attended event also brought together Members of Parliament Prof. Sadettin Hülagü, Radiye Sezer Katırcıoğlu, Veysal Tipioğlu, Cemil Yaman, Nail Çiler, and Lütfü Türkkan; Deputy Ministers of Trade Ö. Volkan Ağar and Mustafa Tuzcu; GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar; Kocaeli Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Nuh Zafer Cantürk; District Governor of Darıca Yaşar Dönmez; District Governor of Dilovası Metin Kubilay; District Governor of Gebze Mehmet Ali Özyiğit; Vice Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Adil Pelister; Director General of Imports at the Ministry of Trade Mehmet Azgın; Mayor of Gebze Zinnur Büyükgöz; Mayor of Dilovası Ramazan Ömeroğlu; Provincial Chair of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Şahin Talus, MD; President of Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KSO) Ayhan Zeytinoğlu; Chairs of the Boards of Organized Industrial Zones (OIZs); academics; and representatives of the business community. The program concluded with the presentation of awards and a collective commemorative photograph, once again reinforcing GTU’s pioneering role in university–industry integration.