Industry in Kocaeli Continues to Grow

Countdown has begun for the 12th edition of the "Sectoral Performance Evaluation Awards," organised under the leadership of Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KSO). The announcement of the organisation, which brings together industrial establishments operating throughout the Marmara Region, was made at a press conference. The meeting was attended by KSO Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, Price Waterhouse Coopers Director Göktigin Durgel, Bloomberg HT News Coordinator Ali Çağatay, East Marmara Development Agency (MARKA) General Secretary Dr. Mustafa Çöpoğlu and project managers. KSO Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu stated: "Today, your competitive advantage is directly proportional to your value-added production capacity, the value you add to the environment and society, and your innovation capability. Through its organised industrial zones, logistical advantages, free zones, Technology Valley, Technoparks and the abundance of R&D centres, Kocaeli continues to provide the ecosystem that investors and companies need and adds tremendous strength to Turkey's economy. Producing 13 percent of manufacturing industry output alone, Kocaeli is the third province after Istanbul and Izmir with TRY 73.451 billion in taxes paid in 2018. In other words, Kocaeli alone pays the taxes of 71 provinces. This is the greatest indicator of our province's contribution to the country's economy."

Pointing out that 79 of Turkey's largest 500 enterprises operate in Kocaeli, Zeytinoğlu noted that of the approximately 2,800 companies in the province, 307 are directly foreign-funded. 36 percent of Turkey's vehicle production; 27 percent of the chemical industry and 19 percent of the metal industry take place in Kocaeli.

Kocaeli, which hosts 14 organised industrial zones, has 2 free zones and 5 Technoparks. 126 companies' R&D Centres and 15 companies' Design Centres operate in Kocaeli. Zeytinoğlu, stating that since 2008 the Sectoral Performance Evaluation Awards have aimed both to reward successful industrial companies, present them with a guiding vision and increase their contribution to the country, said: "We opened our organisation to East Marmara companies in 2010 and to all companies in the Marmara Region in 2015. Participation in our organisation increases every year. Whereas the total number of applications was 117 in 2016, it increased to 136 in 2018. This is quite encouraging for us. This year we expect a record number of applications from across our region." The Sectoral Performance Evaluation Organisation aims to identify and reward industrial establishments that operate with high productivity, place importance on innovation and employee development, achieve financially successful business results, create added value for our country's economy, and contribute to society for a sustainable future. The criteria that stand out in performance evaluation are: productivity, innovation and branding, financial results, foreign trade, contribution to society, employment and employee development and awareness. Applications, which will continue until 4 November 2019, are being made through www.sektorelperformans.org website. Among the solution partners of the 12th Sectoral Performance Evaluation Awards organised under KSO leadership are: Price Waterhouse Coopers Turkey, Kocaeli University, Gebze Technical University, Turkey Economic Policy Research Foundation, East Marmara ABİGEM A.Ş., Major Independent Audit and Certified Public Accounting Services. The regional partners of the organisation are East Marmara Development Agency, Istanbul Development Agency, Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency, South Marmara Development Agency and Thrace Development Agency, and the Media Partner is Bloomberg HT.