EİB Young Exporters Council Secures Strong Representation in Management Positions

The Young Exporters Council of Aegean Exporters Associations (EİBGİK), established in 2019 within Aegean Exporters Associations (EİB), continues to contribute to young exporters taking a more active role in sector representation. Established to prepare young exporters for leadership positions, strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem and bring innovative perspectives to Turkey's exports, EİBGİK achieved strong representation in the new management and audit boards at general assemblies held in April.

In 10 of the 12 exporters associations under the EİB umbrella, 20 EİBGİK members took positions in management and audit boards. Additionally, EİBGİK members were elected to three association presidencies.

Turan Göksan becomes youngest association president
EİBGİK member Turan Göksan, elected to the presidency of Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (ETHİB), became the youngest association president within EİB. Göksan also assumed the position of Vice Coordinator President of Aegean Exporters Associations.

Alongside Onur Uçak and Muzaffer Turgut Kayhan, elected as ETHİB Management Board Vice Chairs, and Management Board members Ferruh Mehmet Uz and Mehmet Ünsal, the number of EİBGİK members in ETHİB's 11-member management board reached 5.

Erkan Zandar takes dual responsibility
Erkan Zandar, Founding Chair of EİBGİK and former president of Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association, took a seat in the EDMİB Management Board for the 2026-2030 period. Zandar was also elected to the Management Board Presidency of TARGEV, in which 12 associations under EİB are partners.

Yusuf Gabay era in dried fruit sector
In elections of Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Association where two lists competed, EİBGİK member Yusuf Gabay was elected Management Board Chair. Şemsettin Özgür was appointed Vice Chair of the Management Board.

Emre Uygun renews confidence
Mehmet Emre Uygun, elected for a second term as president of Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association, ranks among EİBGİK member chairs. Uygun is reported to be preparing to represent the sector at Turkey's Exporters Council in June.

Young exporters take positions in different associations
EİBGİK Vice Chair Gizem Kula was elected to the Audit Board of Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association; with Hüseyin Baştuğ and Emre Bekki also taking positions, the number of EİBGİK representatives in EDDMİB rose to three.

EİBGİK Vice Chair Gizem Dönemez Gürkan continued her position in the Audit Board of Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association.

In Aegean Cereals, Legumes, Oil Seeds and Products Exporters Association, Burak Hucuptan was re-elected as Management Board member, while Efe Beşe entered the board this term.

Reyhan Sezgin continued her position on the Aegean Mining Exporters Association Management Board; Etem Uyar and Şükrü Altundaş took positions on the Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association Management Board.

İsmail Aksoy was re-elected to the Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association Management Board, while Kenan Unat became the EİBGİK representative in Aegean Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exporters Association.

"Young people's representation is strengthening"
EİBGİK Vice Chair Gizem Kula stated that the council's core objectives are to direct youth towards exports, strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem and increase the number of Turkey's exporters, noting satisfaction that the number of EİBGİK members serving in EİB management and audit boards for the 2026-2030 period reached 20.

EİBGİK Vice Chair Gizem Dönemez Gürkan, noting their aim to bring young exporters' innovative ideas into the business world, made the following assessment:

"We organize training and meetings on artificial intelligence-supported marketing, angel investment processes and technology-focused business models. We will continue developing projects to raise Aegean Exporters Associations' USD 18.5 billion exports above USD 20 billion."