Green Transformation Emphasis from ATO President

ATO Chair Emphasizes Green Transformation Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Board Chair Gürsel Baran stated that in 2023 they will accelerate "digitalization" and "green transformation" efforts aimed at facilitating members' business operations, saying "By focusing on digitalization and sustainability, we will continue our work toward our members, our city and our country with goals of increased investment, production, exports and employment." ATO Chair Baran made a written statement evaluating 2022 and sharing expectations and forecasts for 2023. Noting that the pandemic process and climate change have directly affected many areas from production to trade, from consumer habits to business practices, Baran said that increasing competitiveness in today's world is only possible by achieving digital transformation and green transformation. Baran stated: "We are witnessing boundless developments in information and communication technologies. As Ankara Chamber of Commerce, we are trying to provide the fastest and easiest service to our members in light of technology and prepare them for green transformation brought about by climate change. Achieving these in the increasingly competitive global environment is important. In our chamber, by focusing on digitalization and sustainability, we will continue our work toward our members, our city and our country with goals of increased investment, production, exports and employment."

"Our priority in 2023 is to make the greatest contribution to our city and country's economy"

Noting that 2023 will mark the centennial celebration of the Republic and also the centennial anniversary of the founding of Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Baran stated that as the management serving in the Chamber's 100th year, they will continue to work on solving current problems in the sectors where their members operate and developing sectoral strategies to increase their competitive strength at national and international levels. Conveying the message that they will work in unity, togetherness and solidarity as the business world, Baran said: "In 2023, when we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of both our Republic and Ankara Chamber of Commerce, our priority will be to provide the best service to our members and make the greatest contribution to our city and country's economy."

"We will launch the Green Transformation Office"

Noting that the negative effects brought about by climate change are among the most important issues of our time, Baran drew attention to the importance of preparing all elements of the economy from energy to finance, from production to trade for green transformation in this process. Providing information that Ankara Chamber of Commerce is carrying out work to raise awareness on climate change and to achieve green transformation of SMEs within the framework envisioned by the Paris Climate Agreement and the European Green Deal, Baran said: "In the coming days we will establish a 'Green Transformation Office.' With this office, we aim to develop the institutional and technical capacities of SMEs for sustainable development and green transformation practices and to support the necessary transformations in their business models." Pointing out that the European Green Deal has elements that directly affect the economy such as carbon border adjustment, ATO Chair Baran said that in this process it is important for SMEs, which are the backbone of the economy, to achieve green transformation. Stating that Ankara Chamber of Commerce aims with the 'Green Transformation Office' project to enable SMEs to understand, internalize and integrate green transformation processes into their operations that are based on sustainability in production, reduce carbon emissions, achieve energy efficiency and require waste management, Baran said: "New green business models developed by SMEs have the potential to be the engine of green transition in Turkey. In this project, training and technical capacity needs of SMEs regarding sustainable production and green transformation practices will be identified. Subsequently, applied training programs will increase their technical knowledge and skill capacities."

"Our initial target is 10,000 exporters"

Providing information that Ankara Chamber of Commerce will continue its activities to develop foreign trade, Baran stated: "With the 'Foreign Trade Intelligence Center' we established within our chamber, we will continue to provide all kinds of support to our members on institutionalization, efficient work, increasing their competitiveness levels and opening new markets, and will increase the number of exporting firms in our city. We will continue our 'Applied Foreign Trade Training' that we conduct annually for university students and our members, and our contacts with ambassadors and commercial attachés serving in our country. By engaging people who have never exported in Ankara in exporting, we aim to increase the number of exporters to 10,000." Baran stated that as the business world, they believe 2023 will be a better year for Turkey in all areas, and wished the new year to bring peace, tranquility and prosperity to the whole world.