Turkish chambers of commerce manage elections and regional economic issues

Various Turkish chambers of commerce and commodity exchanges are undergoing leadership transitions and addressing regional economic concerns.

In Antalya, the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO) is preparing for elections on October 18, with candidates Davut Çetin and Hatice Öz presenting distinct visions. Çetin has proposed 50 projects focusing on digitalization and artificial intelligence, while Öz emphasizes increasing the role of women in decision-making processes. The chamber has also released voter lists for its 70,000 members to verify.

In Gaziantep, the Gaziantep Commodity Exchange (GTB) reported that agricultural industry products accounted for 34.3% of the city's August exports, totaling $919.5 million. Meanwhile, in Sivas, Harun Bozdağ, a candidate for the Sivas Commodity Exchange presidency, criticized the lack of institutional support for the agriculture and livestock sectors, specifically noting that unplanned public bread production capacity is causing waste and harming local bakers.

Other regional developments include Oğuz Kurum announcing his candidacy for the Edirne Commodity Exchange, and discussions in Gümüşhane regarding upcoming organ elections. In Trakya, the SOL Party has called for the withdrawal of a presidential decision regarding expedited expropriation for shale gas and oil exploration, citing risks to agricultural lands and water resources.