Malatya focuses on industrial reconstruction and employment

Efforts to revitalize the economy of Malatya, Turkey, following the February 6 earthquakes, are focusing on strengthening industrial infrastructure, production, and employment.

Oğuzhan Ata Sadıkoğlu, Chairman of the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, met with academics and students to discuss expanding the scope of reconstruction. He emphasized that while apricots are a major brand, the city must also leverage sectors such as textiles, food, machinery, electronics, furniture, and mining. A key priority is moving beyond exporting raw materials to increasing capacity in processing, packaging, and branding to add value to the local economy.

In Ankara, AK Party Malatya Deputy İnanç Siraç Kara Ölmeztoprak held meetings with government officials, including Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Oruç Baba İnan, to request continued investment support. Discussions included the extension of 6th Region incentives and the development of mega industrial zones. Proposed target sectors for growth include health technologies, medical device production, agriculture, food industry, integrated livestock, and defense technology.