There is ease behind every difficulty, and light behind every darkness. The difficult process we have been going through for nearly a year, both in terms of health, economy, and social and psychological aspects, has exhausted our businesses. As we learned over time about the Covid-19 epidemic, from the beginning of which we did not know what it was, how long it would last and what kind of effects it would have, we tried to protect ourselves, our families and our companies from moment to moment. The discovery of vaccines and the start of vaccination in certain age groups were the first signs of a partial recovery. While our country has managed this process transparently and carefully from the beginning, our hopes for 2021 have brightened a little. In particular, our people’s total compliance with the rules has resulted in the gradual lifting of restrictions for us today. Our country, which has an important position on a world scale, is among the economies least affected by this process compared to its surroundings. Thanks to the advanced infrastructure in our health system and the outstanding efforts of our doctors, we continue the process with fewer losses than many countries in the world, including EU countries. I hope that this epidemic and its effects will disappear from our country and the world soon. We are currently at the beginning of a new era. With March, we see the horizons of a new season and a new excitement. The difficult days in terms of trade and tourism have now taught us the concept of living with this epidemic. We are seeing signs that our region, which has a high tourism potential, is preparing for the future, at least in terms of hotel management. A country and city stuck in quarantine cannot fully reveal its potential. I hope that with the arrival of spring and the lifting of restrictions, we will see a positive trend in our business. I think that we will achieve commercial dynamism, especially when this improvement is felt simultaneously in the countries of the region, flights increase and travel begins. As Laleli, we are a region that has dealt with countless crises and quickly developed a resistance mechanism against these crises. Located in a position that can be called the center of Istanbul in terms of fashion, trade, tourism, logistics and especially finance, Laleli is one of the centers that will be the first to feel the expected positive change. Every company that develops trade with the world must be ready for this strategic and sudden change. There is a high probability that large-scale orders destined for the Far East will return to our country, which is closer and can produce quickly, with high quality and respect for nature. With signs of softening in the epidemic, we may encounter intense demand. Especially Laleli will be the pioneer of this change with its global trade skills and knowledge extending from past to present. As LASİAD, we continue our communication and sharing activities uninterruptedly to ensure that our region is ready for this transformation. Just as patience leads to salvation, we have no doubt that our companies’ compensation processes will begin at the end of a lost year. A long wait for consumption is likely to result in an intense appetite. People’s travel, accommodation, food and beverage and shopping needs will be effectively realized at the end of the closure periods. We will witness this realization together. Companies with a solid digital infrastructure and high commercial know-how will achieve significant gains in this period. A hybrid economic model awaits us in the future. It is important for our companies to prepare their economic processes both physically and virtually. Just as your storefront should be stylish, your website should also be attractive. Trade no longer knows borders, countries or dimensions. Companies that can integrate into this period called the new normal will become among the important brands of our country in the coming decades. Laleli, a supporter of these incubation periods, will continue to work with love to add brand new values to our country. In summary, good days are near, very many.
On this occasion, I congratulate the 18 March Çanakkale Victory and Martyrs’ Memorial Day and wish God’s mercy to all our martyrs. I also congratulate all women of the world on March 8, International Women’s Day, and I offer my respects to our women, who are indispensable for life, with the hope that they will reach the place they deserve in society as soon as possible.
